Prevalence of Oral Mucosal Lesions in Children in Rural Yunnan, China: a Population-based Study

Abstract Background: This population-based cross-sectional study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of oral mucosal lesions (OMLs) in children in a rural area in China as epidemiological data on these conditions from such areas are insufficient. Methods: A total of 3145 children in rural Yunnan were enrolled. A socio-economic questionnaire and a field survey of OMLs were administered. We gathered information on factors (sex, age, caregiver, parental education, and last-month household income) that might be associated with OMLs in these children.Results: OMLs in children in rural Yunnan had a prevalence of 1.8% (95% CI; 1.3–2.3%). The most prevalent OML was oral ulcer (n=11; 18.3%), followed by linea alba (n=10; 16.7%), whereas the least prevalent OMLs were frenal tag (n=1; 1.7%) and herpetic infection (n=1; 1.7%). On unadjusted or adjusted regression, school-aged children had about 50% lower risk of OMLs than preschoolers.Conclusions: These findings indicate that the prevalence of OMLs in rural Yunnan is lower than previously reported. Additionally, age might be associated with the risk of OMLs in children in rural Yunnan.