Impact of symptomatic COVID-19 on children's oral health
Year: 2024
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: The aim of the research was to study impact of symptomatic history of COVID-19 on the children's oral health indicators and salivary microbiome in post-COVID period.. The observational, cross-sectional study conducted in Tbilisi, Georgia, among 7-12 y.o. post-COVID population. 421 children included in the study have a history of laboratory confirmed COVID-19 within one year of exposure. Population was selected from public/ private schools using simple random selection procedure. The sample size calculator was used to identify the number of patients. Included children were divided into two groups: exposed group - patients with history of symptomatic COVID-19 and control group: patients with history of asymptomatic COVID-19. Data were collected from August 2022 till December 2023. Collected data included oral screening, microbiological examination of saliva, and predefined questionnaire. SPSS version 23 was used for statistical analysis. Logistic regression was used to calculate odds ratio with 95% confidence interval. The ethical approval: research code UGREC –04 –22/ 09.03.2022. The differences between the means of oral health indicators in groups with history of symptomatic and asymptomatic COVID-19 were obvious (t=0.0001); According to the logistic regression: DMFT+deft: (OR=1.26; 95%CI: 1.14-1.39); MGI: (OR=2.31; 95%CI: 1.50-3.55); S-OHI: (OR=3.43; 95%CI: 2.03-5.76); microbiome: (OR=2.12; 95%CI: 1.23-3.63). Symptomatic COVID-19 is associated with microbiome changes in oral saliva of children and has increased odds of worsen oral health indicators compared to the children with asymptomatic history of COVID-19. Symptomatic history of COVID-19 may be suggested as additional risk-factor associated to oral health in pediatric population in post COVID-19 period.
Source: International Dental Journal
Authors: Lia Mania, Ketevan Nanobashvili
Institution: University of Georgia
Language: English
Topic: Dental Research and COVID-19
Subfield: General Dentistry
Field: Dentistry
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $2,550
OpenAlex ID: W4403517359