Physiologic signs during dental treatment in overweight vs normal weight children

This study compared physiologic effects of position change on overweight (OW) and normal-weight (NW) children during a preventive appointment.

A cross-sectional, case-controlled design assigned a convenience sample to either overweight (>85th percentile) or normal-weight groups (25th to 85th percentile) by body mass index (BMI). A trained examiner measured blood pressure (BP), heart rate (HR), oxygen saturation (SpO2), and 5 pulmonary functions in preoperative, upright seated, supine, and postoperative upright seated positions. Anxiety was measured using the Corah Dental Anxiety Scale.

NW and OW groups' anxiety scores did not differ (P=.69). Mean BMIs were 20.1 and 39.7 for NW and OW subjects, respectively. Overall, BP between groups was not different (P=.051), although systolic BP for OW subjects tended to be higher. Systolic and diastolic BP dropped for both groups with supine positioning (P< or =.001). During this change, HR did not change for NW, but dropped for OW subjects (P=.001). SpO2 was significantly different between groups following position change, but not within each group. Forced vital capacity and forced expiratory volume were higher in the OW group (P< or =.01), but 2 peak expiratory measures (PEF and PEF25-75 were not (P=.05).

Heart rate and oxygen saturation respond differently to positional changes in overweight patients.