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Determining toothache severity in pediatric patients: A study
V Gupta1, T Chandrasekar, P Ramani
1Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology, Saveetha Dental College, Chennai, India. vg07@rediffmail.com
Insights
Saliva sodium levels decrease and potassium levels increase with toothache intensity in children aged 3-14. These findings correlate with facial expressions and validate the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) for pain assessment.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Dentistry
- Biochemistry
- Pain Management
Background:
- Toothache is a common complaint in pediatric patients.
- Assessing pain intensity in children can be challenging.
- Salivary biomarkers may offer objective measures of pain.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between salivary sodium (Na+) and potassium (K+) levels and toothache intensity in children.
- To correlate these salivary ion levels with pain intensity measured by the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS).
Main Methods:
- A prospective study involving 50 pediatric patients (aged 3-14 years) with varying toothache intensities, including a control group.
- Saliva samples were collected and analyzed for Na+ and K+ concentrations using a colorimeter kit.
- Pain intensity was assessed using the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), with facial expressions also documented.
Main Results:
- Salivary sodium (Na+) levels showed a decrease with increasing toothache intensity.
- Salivary potassium (K+) levels demonstrated an increase as toothache intensity rose.
- Observed changes in Na+ and K+ levels correlated with facial expressions indicative of pain.
Conclusions:
- A significant correlation exists between salivary Na+/K+ levels and the intensity of toothache in pediatric patients.
- Salivary ion levels can serve as potential biomarkers for pain intensity in children.
- The Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) is confirmed as a valid tool for assessing pain in this age group.
Abstract:
To correlate sodium-potassium levels in saliva of pediatric patients having different intensities of toothache assessed by Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) in age group 3-14 yrs. A prospective study of 50 children having different intensities of pain was carried out in the Dept. of Pedodontics, Sareetha Dental College and Hospital. 50 children (aged 3-14 yrs) having different intensities of toothache including normal children (control) were included in the study. Saliva samples were collected and Na+, K+ levels in saliva were measured by using Na+, k+ colorimeter kit. Photographs were taken using Digital camera and VAS was prepared accordingly. Sodium levels decreased with increasing pain intensity and potassium levels increased, facial expressions correlated with Na+, K+ levels. Correlation between Na+, K+ levels and pain intensity exists. Also, VAS is a valid measure for pain.
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