Pediatric bone marrow transplantation: oral complications and recommendations for care. 1998

M A da Fonseca
Department of Orthodontics and Pediatric Dentistry, University of Michigan School of Dentistry, Ann Arbor, USA.

Bone marrow transplantation (BMT) has become an increasingly common treatment option for those patients who have a disease that affects the bone marrow (BM) directly or indirectly. Because of the level of immunosuppression achieved in BMT, any problems the pediatric patient presents in the oral cavity can become life-threatening and increase the length of hospital stay, the patient's discomfort, and the treatment costs. The oral cavity is a reservoir for microorganisms thus by reducing their number through optimal care, immunosuppressed patients may decrease their chance of a life-threatening systemic infection from an oral source. Many BMT teams believe that toothbrushing increases the risk of bacteremia and bleeding; however, problems are more likely to arise when patients are not compliant with good oral hygiene habits. It is vital to educate the caretaker and the child about the importance of oral care in order to minimize discomfort and maximize the chances for a successful transplant. This paper discusses the important and unique role that pediatric dentistry has in the multiprofessional BMT team to help bring about a successful outcome through the prevention and treatment of the acute oral complications often seen in these patients.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D007165 Immunosuppression Therapy Deliberate prevention or diminution of the host's immune response. It may be nonspecific as in the administration of immunosuppressive agents (drugs or radiation) or by lymphocyte depletion or may be specific as in desensitization or the simultaneous administration of antigen and immunosuppressive drugs. Antirejection Therapy,Immunosuppression,Immunosuppressive Therapy,Anti-Rejection Therapy,Therapy, Anti-Rejection,Therapy, Antirejection,Anti Rejection Therapy,Anti-Rejection Therapies,Antirejection Therapies,Immunosuppression Therapies,Immunosuppressions,Immunosuppressive Therapies,Therapies, Immunosuppression,Therapies, Immunosuppressive,Therapy, Immunosuppression,Therapy, Immunosuppressive
D007231 Infant, Newborn An infant during the first 28 days after birth. Neonate,Newborns,Infants, Newborn,Neonates,Newborn,Newborn Infant,Newborn Infants
D007902 Length of Stay The period of confinement of a patient to a hospital or other health facility. Hospital Stay,Hospital Stays,Stay Length,Stay Lengths,Stay, Hospital,Stays, Hospital
D008297 Male Males
D009055 Mouth The oval-shaped oral cavity located at the apex of the digestive tract and consisting of two parts: the vestibule and the oral cavity proper. Oral Cavity,Cavitas Oris,Cavitas oris propria,Mouth Cavity Proper,Oral Cavity Proper,Vestibule Oris,Vestibule of the Mouth,Cavity, Oral
D009059 Mouth Diseases Diseases involving the MOUTH. Disease, Mouth,Diseases, Mouth,Mouth Disease
D009910 Oral Hygiene The practice of personal hygiene of the mouth. It includes the maintenance of oral cleanliness, tissue tone, and general preservation of oral health. Dental Hygiene,Hygiene, Dental,Hygiene, Oral
D010348 Patient Care Team Care of patients by a multidisciplinary team usually organized under the leadership of a physician; each member of the team has specific responsibilities and the whole team contributes to the care of the patient. Health Care Team,Interdisciplinary Health Team,Medical Care Team,Multidisciplinary Care Team,Multidisciplinary Health Team,Healthcare Team,Care Team, Health,Care Team, Medical,Care Team, Multidisciplinary,Care Team, Patient,Care Teams, Health,Care Teams, Patient,Health Care Teams,Health Team, Interdisciplinary,Health Team, Multidisciplinary,Healthcare Teams,Interdisciplinary Health Teams,Medical Care Teams,Multidisciplinary Care Teams,Multidisciplinary Health Teams,Patient Care Teams,Team, Health Care,Team, Healthcare,Team, Interdisciplinary Health,Team, Medical Care,Team, Multidisciplinary Care,Team, Multidisciplinary Health,Team, Patient Care,Teams, Interdisciplinary Health
D010353 Patient Education as Topic The teaching or training of patients concerning their own health needs. Education of Patients,Education, Patient,Patient Education
D002648 Child A person 6 to 12 years of age. An individual 2 to 5 years old is CHILD, PRESCHOOL. Children

Related Publications

M A da Fonseca
April 1986, Australian and New Zealand journal of medicine,
M A da Fonseca
January 1983, The American journal of pediatric hematology/oncology,
M A da Fonseca
January 1999, Ophthalmology,
M A da Fonseca
January 2011, Journal of pediatric endocrinology & metabolism : JPEM,
M A da Fonseca
December 1997, Seminars in cutaneous medicine and surgery,
M A da Fonseca
October 2001, Bone marrow transplantation,
M A da Fonseca
January 1994, Israel journal of medical sciences,
M A da Fonseca
January 1997, Cancer treatment and research,
M A da Fonseca
August 1997, Pediatric clinics of North America,
M A da Fonseca
December 1991, Pediatric annals,
Copied contents to your clipboard!