Risk factors of oral mucositis in pediatric patients(less than 18 years old) receiving chemotherapy

Dr.Khadija M Ahmed; Dr. Basil K Abdulla; Dr. Tara K Saber; Dr. Miwan Salahalddin A. Alrahman

Volume : IV, Issue : X, October - 2015

Risk factors of oral mucositis in pediatric patients(less than 18 years old) receiving chemotherapy

Dr. Khadija M Ahmed, Dr. Basil K Abdulla, Dr. Tara K Saber, Dr. Miwan Salahalddin A. Alrahman

Abstract :

Background: Mucosal barrier injury (mucositis) is a common complication of many treatments used in hematologic and solid malignancies, affecting most patients whose neoplasms are treated with intensive chemotherapy. Mucositis has been identified as a critical risk factor for infections and is a major driver of analgesic and total parenteral nutrition use. Several risk factors affect the development and severity of oral mucositis in cancer patients receiving chemotherapy. Objectives: The objectives of the present study were to determine the incidence and risk indicators for oral mucositis in pediatrics and adolescent patients receiving chemotherapy. Methods: Across–sectional survey was carried out on pediatrics patients receiving different chemotherapy regimens at Hiwa hospital in Sulaimani city between April and August 2014. The degree of mucositis was recorded by WHO Common Toxicity Criteria (CTC). Potential risk indicators for the development of oral mucositis were include age, gender, tumor types, treatment types, neutrophile count, liver enzymes, serum creatinin and bilirubin levels. The status of oral hygiene was evaluated using oral hygiene index and gingival index. The associations between mucositis and risk indicator variables were tested using a (chi–square) test and Odd ratio. Results: Of the 104 patients enrolled; 73patients showed mucositis grade<2 and 31 patients had grade ≥ 2. Male gender was predominant in both groups of mucositis. The majority of the patients had been diagnosed with solid tumor (52.9 %) and almost received Etoposide–based regimen. Patients with neutropenia, altered renal function tests, those with poor oral hygiene and epithial damage were highly significantly associated with incidence of oral mucositis grades≥ 2. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that children who are neutropenic, those with serum creatinin and bilirubin elevation, and those with poor oral hygiene are at greater risk of developing oral mucositis.