Oral and tracheal microbiota of pediatric and adolescent patients in an intensive care unit.

OBJECTIVE: To characterize the oral and tracheal microbiota of patients admitted to a pediatric intensive care unit (PICU). METHODS AND RESULTS: This is an exploratory study conducted on patients aged 5 months to 13 years admitted to the PICU of a referral hospital. Two microbiological samples were collected with a swab in the posterior region of the tongue from patients receiving spontaneous and mechanical ventilation within the first 24 and 48 h after admission to the PICU. Among patients receiving mechanical ventilation, tracheal secretion was also collected in a second sampling. The caries experience was evaluated using the DMFT/dmf index, and the quality of oral hygiene was assessed based on the visual plaque index (VPI). A questionnaire was applied to obtain data on hospital routine and sample characteristics. The DMFT/dmf index was 1.66 (SD = 2.18) and the mean VPI was 43.03 (SD = 36.93). The most prevalent microorganisms were Klebsiella pneumoniae (15%). Oral colonization by opportunistic pathogens was significantly higher in patients receiving mechanical ventilation compared to those on spontaneous ventilation (p < .05). There was no relationship of VPI or DMFT/dmf with oral microbiological changes. CONCLUSION: The results indicate that PICU patients are susceptible to colonization by respiratory and opportunistic pathogens since the first hours of hospitalization.

Oral health knowledge of parents of children and adolescents with congenital heart disease / Conhecimento dos pais de crianças e adolescentes com cardiopatia congênita sobre saúde oral

ABSTRACT Objective: To assess the knowledge on oral hygiene, infective endocarditis, and antibiotic prophylaxis of parents of children and adolescents with heart diseases assisted at the Hospital Ana Nery (reference hospital), Salvador, Bahia, Brazil. Methods: Cross-sectional study with 43 guardians of children and adolescents aged 2 through 16 years, performed with the application of a questionnaire. Results: In the sample of parents studied, 64% had completed high school and 47% had a monthly family income of up to one minimum wage. The majority (81%) reported knowing that oral infections may lead to heart complications, 42% knew that oralbacteria may migrate to the heart, and 51% knew the term infective endocarditis. When questioned about antibiotic prophylaxis, 93% had no knowledge about it and 88% did not know the reasons for using antibiotics before dental treatment. Conclusion: Parental knowledge was limited and fragmented. Further attention is required when transmitting information to parents, focusing on prevention strategies in order to guarantee the integral health of these children and adolescents.

RESUMO Objetivo: Avaliar o conhecimento sobre higiene bucal, endocardite infecciosa, e profilaxia antibiótica dos pais de crianças e adolescentes com cardiopatia congênita assistidas no Hospital Ana Nery, Salvador, Bahia. Métodos: Estudo transversal envolvendo 43 responsáveis de crianças e adolescentes de 2 a 16 anos, realizado através da aplicação de questionário. Resultados: Na amostra de pais estudada, 64% possuíam ensino médio completo e 47% tinham como renda familiar até um salário mínimo. A maioria (81%) afirmou ter conhecimento que infecções bucais podem levar a complicações cardíacas, 42% sabiam que bactérias da boca podem ir para o coração e 51 % conheciam o termo endocardite infecciosa. Quando questionados o que é profilaxia antibiótica, 93% não sabiam o que é e 88% desconheciam os motivos que levavam a necessidade do uso de antibióticos anteriormente a procedimentos odontológicos. Conclusão: O conhecimento dos pais mostrou-se limitado e fragmentado. É necessária maior atenção na transmissão da informação aos mesmos, focando em estratégias de prevenção a fim de garantir a saúde integral destas crianças e adolescentes.