Received: 02 September 2026
Accepted: 23 September 2026
Published online: 30 September 2026
UDC: (616.31+616.716)-007-053.2
IRSTI: 76.29.55
DOI: 10.70113/1815-9443.2026.58.32.001
STIGMATA OF CRANIOFACIAL DYSEMBRYOGENESIS IN CHILDREN: A COMPARATIVE CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY IN THE ARAL SEA REGION
Rysbayeva Zh.I. ¹, Karkimbayeva G.A. ¹*, Mussayev B.S. ², Abdrazakov A.Kh. ²,
Abdikarimov S.Zh. ¹, Karzhaubaeva M.M. ²
¹ Al-Farabi Kazakh National University, Almaty, Kazakhstan
² Kazakh-Russian Medical University, Almaty, Kazakhstan
*Corresponding author: G.A. Karkimbayeva, e-mail: gulshahar_07@mail.ru
Introduction. Stigmata of dysembryogenesis are minor morphological anomalies formed during intrauterine development. Their clustering may be associated with systemic connective-tissue features and adverse environmental exposures, whereas individual phenotypic signs have limited independent diagnostic value.
Objective. To determine the prevalence of craniofacial stigmata of dysembryogenesis among children living in the Aral Sea region and to compare the findings with a comparison group from Almaty and the Almaty Region.
Materials and Methods. This comparative cross-sectional study included 793 children aged 7–16 years. The study group comprised 500 children from the Kyzylorda Region (Aralsk, Kyzylorda, and Shieli; 256 boys and 244 girls), while the comparison group included 293 children from Almaty and the Almaty Region (142 boys and 151 girls). Craniofacial stigmata of dysembryogenesis were assessed clinically; unclassifiable phenotypes were interpreted using the M.F. Waldrop scale. Statistical significance was set at p<0.05.
Results. Stigmata of dysembryogenesis were identified in 83.1% of the 793 examined children (n=659). Microanomalies were detected in 91.6% of the study group (458/500) and 68.6% of the comparison group (201/293). A high level of stigmatization was observed in 43.0% of the study group (n=197) versus 16.4% of the comparison group (n=33), a 2.6-fold difference. The most frequent findings included a short lingual frenulum, low attachment of the maxillary labial frenulum, and malocclusion.
Discussion. The higher frequency of microanomalies and high stigmatization levels among children from the Aral Sea region indicates marked differences between the examined groups. Because of the cross-sectional design, causal relationships between environmental exposures and the observed phenotypes cannot be established; the findings should therefore be interpreted primarily in terms of screening and clinical monitoring.
Conclusion. The identified microanomalies may have limited diagnostic value when considered individually; however, their clustering may serve as an additional clinical marker warranting more comprehensive pediatric, dental, and, where appropriate, genetic assessment.
Keywords: stigmata of dysembryogenesis, craniofacial region, oral microanomalies, Aral Sea region, children, dental status.
