RESUMEN
PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to assess oral microbial colonization before and after the implementation of an oral hygiene protocol in children admitted to a pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) using nonhospitalized healthy children as a control group. METHODS: Two groups were analyzed in this clinical study: Group G1 (dentate children admitted to the PICU); and Group G2 (nonhospitalized, healthy, dentate children). The G1 group underwent oral assessments before (G1i) and after (G1f) a three-day oral hygiene protocol using 0.12 percent chlorhexidine applied at 12-hour intervals. RESULTS: Several pathogenic bacteria were identified in group G1i, which was significantly higher than in group G2 (P<.001). There were significant differences between groups G1i and G1f regarding the presence of pathogenic bacteria (P<.001) and a tongue coat (P<.001). The G1f and G2 groups were comparable concerning the presence of pathogenic bacteria (P=.14). CONCLUSIONS: Pathogenic bacteria were present in the oral cavity of almost all hospitalized children and were significantly decreased after an appropriate oral hygiene protocol was incorporated in their daily care. Therefore, regular oral hygiene protocols are warranted in PICUs.