Pattern of fluid consumption in a sample of Saudi Arabian adolescents aged 12-13 years.

OBJECTIVE: To study the pattern of fluid consumption in a group of Saudi adolescent boys and girls aged 12-13 years. DESIGN: Prospective study. METHODS: Three hundred forty-four boys and girls attending school in Riyadh recorded their fluid intake for three consecutive days, including one weekend day, in April and May 2002. Types of drink/beverage and total amount consumed were analysed and ranked in order of amount/quantity of consumption. Independent samples t-test was used to compare between genders. RESULTS: Mean daily fluid intake was 1,917 mL (SD 287). Drinking water provided 37%, whereas carbonated soft drinks and fruit juice/drink accounted for 26% and 25%, respectively. Seven percent of total fluid intake amounting to 134 mL came from milk and 5% (103 mL) was from tea/coffee. Fluid intake was higher in boys (2,006 mL) than in girls (1,821 mL) (P=0.049). This was also true for carbonated soft drinks (P=0.050) and tea/coffee (P=0.000). Girls consumed more milk (P=0.001) and fruit juice/drink (P=0.001) than boys. CONCLUSION: Both carbonated soft drink and fruit juice/drink accounted for the largest proportion of total fluid intake by the sampled Saudi adolescents to the detriment of nutritious milk.

Intra-nasal midazolam in conscious sedation of young paediatric dental patients.

OBJECTIVES: To compare the effects of 3 different doses of intra-nasal midazolam in the conscious sedation of young paediatric dental patients and to compare the effectiveness of the sedation in the fasting and non-fasting child. DESIGN: Double blind random controlled trial. SAMPLE AND METHODS: Thirty-eight uncooperative young children aged 2-5 years (mean age 4.02 years) were randomly assigned to one of 3 groups. The groups and the doses of midazolam administered intra-nasally were A: 0.3 mg/kg, B: 0.4 mg/kg, and C: 0.5 mg/kg body weight. Each child in each group had two visits for restorative treatment: one without food (fasting) and the other with soft drink and light food (non-fasting) before treatment. Child behaviour and sedative effects were evaluated using the scoring system of Houpt. The vital signs were monitored continuously using a pulse oximeter and Dinamap machine. RESULTS: There was rapid onset of sedation with the maximal effect between 8 and 15 minutes. This sedation lasted for 25-40 minutes in Groups A and B and for 60 minutes in Group C. Conscious sedation and dental treatment were achieved in 79%, 96% and 100% of the children in Groups A, B and C, respectively. Consistently higher Houpt scores were seen in Groups B and C, with statistically significant differences between Groups A and C, and B and C (Tukey's range test, P < 0.05). There were no significant differences in the general behaviour of the child, the onset and the duration of sedation between the fasting and the non-fasting child (nonparametric ANOVA P > 0.05). All the vital signs were within normal physiological limits and there were no significant adverse effects either with or without fasting. CONCLUSIONS: All 3 doses of intranasal midazolam were effective in modifying the behaviour of the uncooperative child patient to accept dental treatment. This was irrespective of fasting.

Prevalence of the Carabelli trait in Saudi Arabian children.

This study was carried out to evaluate the prevalence of trait of Carabelli in Saudi Arabian children. 250 children, aged 7 to 10 years were examined. The criterion of inclusion was caries free maxillary second deciduous and first permanent molars. The prevalence of the trait was 58.7% with almost similar distribution between males and females. The tubercular variety was the commonest type, which was significantly more in males than females. The frequency of the trait was similar to that of Malaysians but less than for other population groups.