Consideration of Oral Complications of Pediatric Cancer Patients in a Childhood Cancer Hospital

Abstract

We surveyed 41 pediatric patients receiving perioperative oral management in a childhood cancer hospital to clarify the oral conditions of childhood cancer patients. The following results were obtained.

1.The number of pediatric patients was 41 (female : 22, male : 19) from 2016 to 2019. The most common diagnosis was acute lymphatic leukemia (20 patients).

2.Oral mucositis was the most frequent oral complication in pediatric patients with cancer undergoing chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. In addition, we observed caries, eruption gingivitis, xerostomia, and so on.

3.The most frequent oral complications occurred in Hellman's dental age IIIB (11 events). These oral complications included oral mucositis, caries, and eruption gingivitis. We consider that the type of oral complication changes depending on the growth and development of pediatric patients.

4.It is important to continue providing oral health care during perioperative oral management keeping in mind the child's growth and development.