The Effect of Dental Treatment under General Anesthesia on Quality of Life and Growth and Blood Chemistry Parameters in Uncooperative Pediatric Patients with Compromised Oral Health: A Pilot Study

Abstract

Background: The effect of untreated dental caries and their treatment under general anesthesia (GA) on the quality of life, growth, and blood chemistry parameters in uncooperative pediatric patients has not been extensively elucidated. The aims are to evaluate the impact of dental treatment under GA on oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) in uncooperative pediatric patients with severe dental caries and to assess the effect of dental treatment under GA on children’s weight (Wt), height (Ht), Body Mass Index (BMI), and blood chemistry parameters. Methods: Forty-three uncooperative children aged 3–14 years were selected. OHRQoL, through ECOHIS (Early Childhood Oral Health Impact Scale) and COHRQoL (Child Oral Health-Related Quality of Life) questionnaires, Wt, Ht, BMI, and blood chemistry parameters were measured at baseline and eight months after dental treatment under GA. Results: At follow up, the reductions in the ECHOIS and the COHRQoL components were statistically significant (p < 0.0001), there was significant improvement in the anthropometric measures: 76.5% of children increased the percentile curves for weight, 68.6% for height, and 51.4% for BMI; for the blood chemistry parameters: ferritin improved in 68.6% of the samples, PCR in 65.7%, ESR in 68.6%, Vitamin D in 68.6%, and IGF-1 in 65.7%. Conclusions: Oral health status significantly influences OHRQoL, growth, and blood chemistry parameters in uncooperative pediatric patients.