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Published on: September 18, 2013
Evaluation of an oral preventive protocol in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia
Edja Maria Melo de Brito Costa1, Maria Zélia Fernandes, Lêda Bezerra Quinder
1School of Dentistry, Potiguar University, Brazil.
Insights
A preventive oral protocol using chlorhexidine mouth rinse significantly reduced oral complications like mucositis and ulceration in children undergoing chemotherapy for acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). This finding supports its use in pediatric cancer care.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Oncology
- Oral Medicine
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) undergoing chemotherapy are at high risk for oral mucosal complications.
- Preventive oral care protocols are crucial for managing treatment side effects in pediatric cancer patients.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the effectiveness of a 0.12% chlorhexidine mouth rinse as a preventive oral protocol.
- To assess the incidence of oral mucosal complications in children with ALL receiving antineoplastic treatment.
Main Methods:
- A prospective study involving 14 children (2-10 years old) diagnosed with ALL.
- Comparison of a group receiving 0.12% chlorhexidine mouth rinse with a control group receiving standard oral hygiene.
- Daily oral examinations by a pediatric dentistry team until patient discharge.
Main Results:
- A statistically significant reduction in the incidence of oral mucositis and ulceration was observed in the chlorhexidine group (p < 0.05).
- The preventive protocol demonstrated a positive impact on reducing oral complications.
Conclusions:
- Systematic application of a preventive oral protocol, including chlorhexidine mouth rinse, is effective in minimizing oral complications.
- Findings encourage the implementation of this protocol in pediatric ALL patients receiving chemotherapy.
Abstract:
This study was designed to assess the effectiveness of a preventive oral protocol in children receiving antineoplastic treatment for acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) before initiating a larger intervention study. During a seven month period, fourteen children from two to ten years old with a diagnosis of ALL were evaluated. Patients with ALL who received a 0.12% chlorhexidine mouth rinse (seven children) were compared to a control group of patients who were not given the same preventive treatment (seven children) as to the occurrence of oral mucosal complications. Children in both groups received daily oral hygiene care, and were examined daily by the pediatric dentistry team until discharge. A significant decrease in the incidence of oral mucositis and ulceration was observed in the children who received a 0.12% chlorhexidine mouth rinse (p < 0.05 by Fisher's exact test). The findings obtained in the present trial are encouraging, and suggest that the systematic application of a preventive protocol reduces the incidence of oral complications in children with ALL receiving chemotherapy.
