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Gingival inflammation and hematological parameters in children with visceral leishmaniasis: A cross-sectional study
Fernanda Fresneda Villibor1,2, Lucas Antonio Pires da Silva3, Ana Lúcia Roselino Ribeiro3
1Dental School, Centro Universitário Luterano de Palmas - CEULP-ULBRA, Palmas, Tocantins, Brazil.
Insights
Children with visceral leishmaniasis (VL) showed poor oral hygiene upon hospitalization, which improved significantly within seven days. Gingival inflammation also reduced, indicating a positive response to improved oral care.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Infectious Diseases
- Oral Health
- Hematology
Background:
- Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is a serious parasitic disease affecting children.
- Oral health issues can be prevalent in children with chronic illnesses.
- Assessing oral hygiene and gingival health in VL patients is crucial for comprehensive care.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate gingival inflammation and oral hygiene in children with VL at hospitalization and 7 days post-admission.
- To compare hematological changes in these children between the two time points.
- To determine the relationship between oral hygiene and gingival inflammation in VL patients.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional study involving 67 children (aged 1-8 years) with VL.
- Oral hygiene assessed using the Simplified Oral Hygiene Index (OHI-S).
- Gingival inflammation measured by the Gingival Index (GI); hematological parameters analyzed.
Main Results:
- Mean OHI-S decreased from 2.35 at admission (D1) to 1.47 at day 7 (D7).
- Mean GI reduced from 0.56 at D1 to 0.11 at D7, indicating improved gingival health.
- Poor oral hygiene at D1 predicted higher gingival inflammation (p < .05); hematological variables did not predict inflammation.
Conclusions:
- Children with VL present with poor oral hygiene upon hospitalization.
- Oral hygiene status improved from poor to regular within 7 days.
- Gingival bleeding scores decreased after 7 days, correlating with improved oral hygiene.
Aims:
This cross-sectional study aimed to assess gingival inflammation in 67 children aged 1-8 years (mean age 3.07) with visceral leishmaniasis (VL) at the time of hospitalization (D1) and 7 days after the first interview (D7) and compare the main hematological changes between the two time points.
Methods And Results:
The biofilm index was verified at D1 and D7 using the Simplified Oral Hygiene Index (OHI-S) and the gingival inflammation index based on the gingival index (GI), along with hematological parameters. The mean OHI-S was 2.35 ± 0.93 at D1 and 1.47 ± 0.75 at D7. The mean GI was 0.56 ± 0.59 at D1 and 0.11 ± 0.32 at D7. The variable OHI-S at D1 could predict GI at D1, as an increase in the OHI-S value by one unit was associated with an increase in the GI D1 value by 0.36 units (p < .05). Multivariate linear regression analysis showed that none of the hematological variables were predictive of gingival inflammation at D1 and D7.
Conclusion:
Children with VL had poor oral hygiene on the first day of hospitalization. Clinically, the oral hygiene status progressed from poor at D1 to regular at D7. After 7 days the gingival bleeding scores also reduces.
