Abstract
Systemic diseases of children differ according to their living environment and dietary habits. Also, as systemic disorders are closely related to the state of the oral cavity of children and their responses to dental treatment, we investigated the state of systemic diseases. The subjects were 1298 children who were treated at the outpatient clinic of the Department of Dentistry, Iwate Medical University.
Inquiry sheets at the initial examination, health records, and records of initial examinations based on the inquiry were used as reference material. The past history to the present illness of the patients was investigated. The following results were obtained:
1) The morbidity rates for various diseases were 57% for viral infection and 38 % for allergic diseases.
2) Viral infection was observed frequently in those aged less 6 years, and varicella accounted for a particularly high percentage.
3) Children aged 0-3 years often contracted bacterial infections and pneumonia accounted for 51.4%of all bacterial diseases.
4) An allergy was observed most frequently in those aged 3-6 years. More than half of the patients with allergy had atopic dermatitis and eczema.
5) Atopic dermatitis alone was observed in 78% of the patients with atopic dermatitis, but the incidence decreased with age.
6) Asthma, food allergy, and drug allergy were often complicated by other allergies and increased with age.
7) Six of the 9 patients who presented allergic symptoms after dental treatment had a history of atopic dermatitis.
In conclusion, most children have various systemic diseases in the period of odontogenesis, and allergic diseases appear in more diverse forms as they grow older. Examining the medical history is considered necessary, before dental treatment is given to children.
