Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
Review
. 2015;40(1):109-14.
doi: 10.5114/ceji.2015.50842. Epub 2015 Apr 22.

Fabricated or induced illness in the oral cavity in children. A systematic review and personal experience

Dorota Olczak-Kowalczyk  1 , Beata Wolska-Kusnierz  2 , Ewa Bernatowska  2
Affiliations
Review

Fabricated or induced illness in the oral cavity in children. A systematic review and personal experience

Dorota Olczak-Kowalczyk et al. Cent Eur J Immunol. 2015.

Abstract

Introduction: Münchausen syndrome by proxy (MSBP) describes a pattern in which a caregiver induces a disease in a child. The symptoms may manifest in the oral cavity.

Material and methods: PubMed was researched for articles between 1990-2014, presenting manifestations of MSPB, following PRISMA 2009 guidelines, and an in-house case of MSBP with oral manifestations was presented.

Review: Among 66 articles presenting MSBP symptoms, four included descriptions of oral lesions in five children. They included: tooth loss, ulcerations and ulcers on oral mucosa, scars due to old, healed lesions, bleeding, black tongue, polysialia, and discolouration and swelling in the lips. Münchausen syndrome by proxy with participation of the mother was diagnosed in four cases.

Case: A 13-year-old girl was hospitalised because of a non-healing ulcer of the septum, loose and lost mandibular teeth, skin lesions, and suspected immunodeficiency. She had been hospitalised numerous times at other facilities. Consultations and diagnostic tests did not confirm an organic disease. The patient and her mother agreed to undergo all examinations, and some symptoms 'went away' during the examinations. The behaviour of the patient and her mother during hospital stays, ambulatory care, and the psychiatric observations all pointed towards MPSB. They refused further treatment at the present facility.

Conclusions: A dentist should take into account the potential 'fabrication' of symptoms in a child by the latter or by a caregiver. Consultations with a paediatrician or psychiatrist enable a diagnosis and treatment.

Keywords: Münchausen syndrome by proxy; factitious disorder; immunodeficiency; oral cavity; tooth loss.

PubMed Disclaimer

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
No incisors and mandibular canine, expansion of the gingival crevice around the gap, osteolytic changes within the frontal part of the mandible
See this image and copyright information in PMC

Similar articles

See all similar articles

Cited by

References

    1. Kellogg N, American Academy of Pediatrics Committee on Child Abuse and Neglect Oral and dental aspects of child abuse and neglect. Pediatrics. 2005;116:1565–1568. - PubMed
    1. Flaherty EG, Macmillan HL, Committee On Child Abuse And Neglect Caregiver-fabricated illness in a child: a manifestation of child maltreatment. Pediatrics. 2013;132:590–597. - PubMed
    1. Jaghab K, Skodnek KB, Padder TA. Munchausen's syndrome and other factitious disorders in children: case series and literature review. Psychiatry (Edgmont) 2006;3:46–55. - PMC - PubMed
    1. Bass C, Glaser D. Early recognition and management of fabricated or induced illness in children. Lancet. 2014;19:1412–1421. - PubMed
    1. Libow JA. Child and adolescent illness falsification. Pediatrics. 2000;105:336–342. - PubMed

LinkOut - more resources