The effects of adenoid hypertrophy and oral breathing on maxillofacial development: a review of the literature.

According to modern epidemiological surveys, the prevalence of adenoid hypertrophy in children and adolescents ranges from 42% to 70%. Adenoid hypertrophy can lead to airway obstruction; thus forces a child to breathe through their mouth, thus affecting the normal development of the dental and maxillofacial area, and can lead to malocclusion. Long-term mouth breathing can cause sagittal, vertical and lateral changes in the maxillofacial area. In this article, we review the current research status relating to the association between adenoid hypertrophy, oral breathing and maxillofacial growth and development in children and adolescents. We also discuss the personalized formulation of treatment plans.

Predictors associated with malocclusion in children with and without sleep disorders: a cross-sectional study.

The aim of the present study was to investigate predictors of malocclusion in Brazilian schoolchildren eight to ten years of age based on a causal directed acyclic graph model. A cross-sectional study was conducted with 739 schoolchildren eight to ten years of age. Parents/guardians provided information on sleep disorders of the child (Sleep Disturbance Scale for Children) and family characteristics (Family Adaptability and Cohesion Evaluation Scale). The diagnosis of malocclusion was performed by four trained examiners using the Dental Aesthetic Index. Control variables were selected using a directed acyclic graph. Descriptive analysis was performed, followed by robust logistic regression analysis for complex samples (α = 5%). The following variables were associated with malocclusion in the final model: sleep disorders (OR = 2.61; 95%CI: 2.43-2.86), mouth breathing (OR = 1.04; 95%CI: 1.02-1.99), non-nutritive sucking habits (OR = 2.45; 95%CI: 2.37-4.85), and obesity (OR = 1.54; 95%CI: 1.02-2.33). Sociodemographic characteristics, family functioning, and premature tooth loss did not remain associated with malocclusion. Sleep disorders, mouth breathing, sucking habits, and obesity are predictors of malocclusion in schoolchildren eight to ten years of age.

Comparative study between photodynamic therapy and the use of probiotics in the reduction of halitosis in mouth breathing children: Study protocol for a randomized controlled clinical trial.

INTRODUCTION: Halitosis is a term that defines any odor or foul smell the emanates from the oral cavity, the origin of which may be local or systemic. One of the causes of local or oral halitosis is low salivary flow and dry mouth, which is also one of the complaints of individuals with the mouth-breathing habit. The aim of this study is to determine the effectiveness of antimicrobial photodynamic therapy (aPDT) and the use of probiotics for the treatment of halitosis in mouth-breathing children. METHODS: Fifty-two children between 7 and 12 years of age with a diagnosis of mouth breathing and halitosis determined through an interview and clinical examination will be selected. The participants will be divided into 4 groups: Group 1-treatment with brushing, dental floss and tongue scraper; Group 2-brushing, dental floss and aPDT applied to the dorsum and middle third of the tongue; Group 3-brushing, dental floss and probiotics; Group 4-brushing, dental floss, aPDT and probiotics. The use of a breath meter and microbiological analysis of the tongue coating will be performed before, immediately after treatment and 7 days after treatment. The quantitative analysis will involve counts of colony-forming bacteria per milliliter and real-time polymerase chain reaction. The normality of the data will be determined using the Shapiro-Wilk test. Parametric data will be submitted to analysis of variance and nonparametric data will be compared using the Kruskal-Wallis test. The results of each treatment in the different periods of the study will be compared using the Wilcoxon test. DISCUSSION: Due to the low level of evidence, studies are needed to determine whether treatment with aPDT using annatto as the photosensitizer and blue led as the light source is effective at diminishing halitosis in mouth-breathing children.

Effect of oral Xiao-xian decoction combined with acupoint application therapy on pediatric adenoid hypertrophy: A randomized trial.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to observe the clinical effects of Xiao-xian decoction combined with acupoint application therapy (AAT) for treating pediatric adenoid hypertrophy (AH). METHODS: We randomly divided 93 AH children into 3 groups: AAT alone; Xiao-xian decoction + AAT; control: Montelukast oral therapy. All participants were treated for a month. We used the traditional Chinese medicine syndrome score to evaluate the clinical efficacy and the obstructive sleep apnea-18 scale to evaluate the quality of life. RESULTS: The major symptoms (nasal congestion, open mouth breathing, snoring, and tongue image) and secondary symptoms of patients treated with Xiao-xian decoction + AAT significantly improved compared to before treatment. The pairwise comparison between groups showed that snoring, tongue, secondary symptoms, and total effective rate of the combined treatment group were better than the control and AAT alone. Additionally, the open-mouth breathing, quality of life, and recurrence rate did not differ after treatment. CONCLUSION: Oral Xiao-xian decoction combined with AAT significantly improved the symptoms and signs of nasal congestion, open-mouth breathing, snoring, tongue, and quality of life of AH children and may be used as a long-term treatment for AH.

Mouth opening/breathing is common in sleep apnea and linked to more nocturnal water loss.

BACKGROUND: Mouth opening/breathing during sleep is common in patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), which is probably associated with more water loss and higher risk for nocturnal ischemic heart attack. This study aimed to evaluate nocturnal changes in hematocrit/hemoglobin levels and estimated plasma volume loss in OSA patients and its relation to their OSA severity and mouth open/breathing. METHODS: Sixty OSA patients and fifteen healthy controls were enrolled and underwent overnight polysomnography. Mouth status was evaluated via an infrared camera and nasal/mouth airflow. Hematocrit and hemoglobin levels in peripheral venous blood were measured before and after sleep to estimate the change of plasma volume. RESULTS: Compared to controls, OSA patients had a greater nocturnal increase in hematocrit (1.35% vs. 1.0%, p = 0.013), hemoglobin (0.50% vs. 0.30%, p = 0.002) and more estimated water loss (5.5% vs 3.7% of plasma volume, p < 0.013). The extent of increase was correlated to apnea-hypopnea index (AHI)_the marker of OSA severity (Spearman's ρ = 0.332, p = 0.004; ρ = 0.367, p = 0.001 for hematocrit, hemoglobin, respectively), which remained significant after serial multivariate adjustment. OSA patients had more sleep time with mouth open (96.7% vs 26.7% of total sleep time, p < 0.001) and time with complete mouth breathing (14.1% vs 2.7%, p < 0.001). The extent of mouth breathing was correlated to AHI (ρ=0.487, p < 0.001), nocturnal increase in hematocrit/hemoglobin levels (ρ = 0.236, p = 0.042; ρ = 0.304, p = 0.008, respectively) and estimated plasma volume loss (ρ = 0.262, p = 0.023). CONCLUSION: OSA patients had a greater increase in hematocrit/hemoglobin levels after sleep, which is probably linked to more water loss and more sleep time with mouth open/breathing.

[Preliminary study on efficacy and safety of submucosal plasma ablation of inferior turbinate in children with allergic rhinitis complicated with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome].

Objective:This study aimed to investigate the long-term clinical efficacy and safety of inferior turbinate submucosal plasma ablation combined with or without tonsillar and adenoid surgery in children with allergic rhinitis（AR） combined with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome（OSAS） who were ineffective after conservative systemic treatment. Methods:A total of 43 children with AR complicated with OSAS who met the inclusion criteria among 68 children hospitalized from January 2019 to February 2022 were retrospectively analyzed. The data were collected, including the clinical characteristics, surgical methods perioperative management and prevention and treatment of complications. Moreover, one year follow-up was performed to compare the VAS scores of children before and after surgery, and to evaluate their mid-term and long-term outcomes. Results:The average operation time was 36 minutes, meanwhile, the intraoperative blood was limited. The symptoms of nasal congestion, runny nose, sleep snoring, and mouth breathing were significantly improved after operation, and the results were satisfactory after one-year follow-up without complications such as bleeding, hematoma, intraoperative adhesion, and nasal dryness. Conclusion:Submucosal plasma ablation of inferior turbinate with or without tonsillectomy adenoidectomy in children with AR can effectively improve the clinical symptoms of AR combined with OSAS children who are ineffective after conservative treatment. It can improve the symptoms of sleep-disordered breathing such as sleep snoring and mouth breathing, with good mid-and long-term curative effects and fewer complications, which is an effective and safe treatment for children with AR combined with OSAS.

[Early interventions of oral habits].

Oral habits, such as mouth breathing, sucking, and lip and tongue habits, are important factors that lead to malocclusion. The abnormal pressure will disrupt the muscle balance of the oral and maxillofacial complex and interfere with the normal development of the maxillofacial complex. Therefore, early diagnosis and successful treatment of oral habits are pivotal to the early treatment of malocclusion. This paper discusses the malocclusion caused by children's oral habits and the corresponding intervention methods.

Specific dento-craniofacial characteristics in non-syndromic children can predispose to sleep-disordered breathing.

AIM: To ascertain and illustrate specific clinical dento-craniofacial characteristics associated with sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) in non-syndromic children. METHODS: Narrative review of literature on SDB, dental occlusion and craniofacial morphology retrieved through online literature database search for these terms. The review focused on clinical examples and graphical illustrations in order to ascertain the association between dento-craniofacial characteristics and SDB. Only publications concerning healthy non-syndromic children without any somatic or psychological diagnosis were included. RESULTS: Dento-craniofacial characteristics such as anterior open bite, large overjet, cross bite and facial appearance such as convex profile due to mandibular retrognathia and inclination, narrow and high palate can predispose to SDB in non-syndromic children. Furthermore, extended head posture, mouth breathing and general adenoidal face may be symptoms or predisposing factors to SDB in non-syndromic children. CONCLUSION: Dento-craniofacial characteristics as anterior open bite, large overjet due to mandibular retrognathia, cross bite, and narrow and high palate can predispose to SDB in non-syndromic children. Facial characteristics predisposing to SDB can be a convex facial profile, extended head posture, mouth breathing and general adenoidal face. Interdisciplinary collaboration between medical doctors and dentists can prove valuable in diagnostics, prevention and treatment of SDB in non-syndromic children.

Evaluation of the relationship between malocclusions and sleep-disordered breathing in children.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the relationship between dental/skeletal malocclusions and sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) in the early diagnosis and treatment of sleep disorders in children. METHODS: Patients were evaluated by pedodontists to identify dental, skeletal, and functional malocclusion (n = 240; <15 years). In order to determine the sleep and daytime behavior of the patients, pediatric sleep questionnaires (PSQ) were applied. Per results of the PSQ, patients with a mean of ≥ 0.33 were defined as the high-risk group. RESULTS: A total of 25.8% children were in the high-risk group, with the most convex profile, high-angle growth direction, and mandibular retrognathy. The prevalence of habitual snoring, mouth breathing, and dry mouth was 48.4%, 64.5%, and 87.2% among all high-risk children, respectively. CONCLUSION: Convex profile, high-angle growth direction, and retrognathic mandible were determined as risk factors for SDB. The prevalence of dry mouth, mouth breathing, and snoring was higher in the high-risk group.

Association between upper airway obstruction and malocclusion in mouth-breathing children.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the association between upper airway obstruction and occlusal anomalies in mouth-breathing children. METHODS: 356 mouth-breathing children were evaluated by ENT physicians and specialists in orthodontics. ENT examination included nasal endoscopy to assess the adenoidal hypertrophy, tonsillar grading and presence of nasal septum deviation. Clinical orthodontic examination was performed to record occlusal variables. Univariate and multivariable logistic regression were performed to study the association between registered variables. RESULTS: 221 patients (mean age ± sd = 6.2 ± 2.5 years) met inclusion criteria. 81.4% of children presented malocclusion. A significant association between tonsillar grade 2 and the presence of malocclusion, Class II relation and increased overjet was shown. Tonsillar grade 4 showed a significant association with the presence of malocclusion and increased overjet. Adenoidal hypertrophy and nasal septum deviation did not show any association with occlusal findings. CONCLUSIONS: A high frequency of orthodontic problems was seen in mouth-breathing children. Our results suggested that severe tonsillar hypertrophy may determine presence of malocclusion and increased overjet. On the other hand, the association between mild tonsillar hypertrophy and many occlusal anomalies in mouth-breathers suggest an important role of malocclusion in the onset of oral breathing in children.

Association Between Mouth Breathing and Asthma: a Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluated the association between asthma and mouth breathing. We performed a systematic search in the PubMed, SCOPUS, Lilacs, Web of Science, Google Scholar and OpenThesis databases. RECENT FINDINGS: Asthma is defined as a heterogeneous disease characterized by variable symptoms of wheezing, shortness of breath, chest oppression and/or cough, and limitation of expiratory airflow. Although several studies have examined the association between asthma and mouth breathing, there are no systematic reviews or meta-analyses that synthesize the available bodies of evidence. We used the odds ratio as a measure of the association between asthma and mouth breathing. Summary estimates were calculated using random-effects models, and the risk of bias was estimated using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale for case-control studies and the National Institutes of Health tool for cross-sectional studies. Nine studies were included in the present systematic review. Data from 12,147 subjects were analyzed, of which 2083 were children and adolescents and 10,064 were adults. We found an association between mouth breathing and asthma in children and adolescents (OR 2.46, 95% CI 1.78-3.39) and in adults (OR 4.60, 95% CI 1.49-14.20). However, limitations were found in the methodological description of the included studies, as well as high heterogeneity among studies evaluating adult populations. This meta-analysis showed an association between mouth breathing and asthma in children, adolescents and adults, but the results should be interpreted with caution. Further studies with standardized criteria for the investigation of mouth breathing are needed.

Conhecimento dos professores sobre a respiração oral antes e após programa de orientação / Teachers knowledge of the effects of mouth breathing before and after an orientation program

RESUMO Objetivo Verificar o conhecimento dos professores da educação infantil e ensino fundamental I a respeito da respiração oral, assim como verificar a ampliação do conhecimento dos professores sobre o tema, após a aplicação do programa de orientação fonoaudiológica. Métodos A amostra foi composta por 150 professores de escolas públicas e particulares. A promoção do conhecimento sobre a respiração oral foi realizada por meio do Programa de Orientação Fonoaudiológica, que abordou sobre a fisiologia da respiração, as causas e as consequências da respiração oral e os profissionais envolvidos no tratamento. Antes e após o programa, foram aplicados questionários semiestruturados, compostos por questões objetivas e discursivas a respeito das causas e consequências da respiração oral. Para a análise estatística entre os questionários pré e pós-programa, foi utilizado o teste McNemar. A comparação entre a média geral das respostas corretas foi realizada por meio do teste t-Student. Todas as diferenças foram consideradas estatisticamente significativas para um nível de significância de 5%. Resultados Observaram-se diferenças estatísticas (p<0,05) em todas as questões dos questionários pré e pós-programa de orientação. Conclusão Os professores apresentaram conhecimento prévio sobre a respiração oral, porém, o Programa de Orientação Fonoaudiológica mostrou-se eficaz e promoveu a ampliação do conhecimento sobre o tema.

ABSTRACT Purpose To ascertain primary and secondary school teachers knowledge of mouth breathing, as well as to gauge teachers improvements in knowledge of the subject area after the speech therapy guidance program. Methods 150 teachers from both public and private schools participated in the program. The promotion of information about mouth breathing was carried out as part of the Speech Therapy Program, which addressed areas such as the physiology of breathing, causes and consequences of mouth breathing and the professionals involved in the treatment. Before and after the program semi-structured questionnaires were given out, the questionnaires contained objective and discursive questions about the causes and consequences of mouth breathing. The McNemar test was used for statistical analysis of the pre and post program questionnaires. The comparison between the general average of correct answers was ascertained by using the t-Student test. All differences were considered statistically significant at a significance level of 5%. Results Statistical differences (p<0.05) were found in all questions in the pre and post-orientation program questionnaires. Conclusion The teachers showed they had some previous knowledge about mouth breathing, however the Speech Therapy Orientation Program proved to be effective and resulted in the teachers showing a greatly increased knowledge about the subject.

Validation of the Vertical Facial Growth Screening Test.

Background. Vertical facial growth has a high prevalence. Nonspecialized professionals have shown low sensitivity to identify patients at risk. In the face of this difficulty, we designed and validated a screening checklist for vertical facial growth. Methods. A multidisciplinary team of 5 members developed the Vertical Facial Growth Screening Test. A sample of 160 evaluations was obtained. We consider as the gold standard the evaluation of 2 specialists in dentofacial orthopedics. Results. Consistency measured with Cronbach α was .675 for 10 items. Test-retest reliability was .956. The interobserver concordance was .886. The receiver operating characteristic curve has .987 area under the curve. Conclusion. This is the first study to design and validate a screening checklist for vertical facial growth for nonexpert evaluators. We think that given its good performance, ease of use, inexpensiveness, and availability, the test could be useful for nontrained professionals dealing with children.

Growth and mouth breathers.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the relationship between mouth breathing and growth disorders among children and teenagers. DATA SOURCE: Search on MEDLINE database, over the last 10 years, by using the following terms: "mouth breathing", "adenotonsilar hypertrophy", "allergic rhinitis", "sleep disturbance" AND "growth impairment", "growth hormone", "failure to thrive", "short stature", or "failure to thrive". DATA SUMMARY: A total of 247 articles were identified and, after reading the headings, this number was reduced to 45 articles, whose abstracts were read and, of these, 20 were deemed important and were included in the review. In addition of these articles, references mentioned in them and specific books on mouth breathing deemed important were included. Hypertrophy of palatine and/or pharyngeal tonsils, whether associated with allergic rhinitis, as well as poorly controlled allergic rhinitis, are the main causes of mouth breathing in children. Respiratory sleep disorders are frequent among these patients. Several studies associate mouth breathing with reduced growth, as well as with reduced growth hormone release, which are reestablished after effective treatment of mouth breathing (clinical and/or surgical). CONCLUSIONS: Mouth breathing should be considered as a potential cause of growth retardation in children; pediatricians should assess these patients in a broad manner.

Alterações sensoriais em respiradores orais: revisão sistemática baseada no método prisma / Sensory changes in mouth breathers: systematic review based on the prisma method

RESUMO Objetivo: Revisar, na literatura, estudos que abordem alterações nos sistemas sensoriais apresentadas por respiradores orais. Fonte de dados: A busca foi realizada nas bases de dados PubMed, BIREME, LILACS, Web of Science e Scopus. A busca foi realizada independentemente por dois pesquisadores, seguindo os critérios de seleção. Foram selecionados artigos originais que abordaram a respiração oral e as alterações nos sistemas sensoriais publicados nos idiomas português, inglês e espanhol. Os artigos de revisão da literatura, as dissertações, os capítulos de livros, os estudos de caso e os editoriais foram excluídos. Síntese dos dados: Foram encontrados 719 artigos, dos quais 663 foram excluídos pelo título e 22 pelo resumo. Trinta e quatro manuscritos foram analisados, dos quais 23 estavam repetidos e 8 foram excluídos pelo texto lido na íntegra. Assim, três artigos foram selecionados para esta revisão. Conclusões: A maioria dos estudos apresenta a ocorrência de alterações dos sistemas sensoriais em crianças respiradoras orais. Contudo, observa-se maior preocupação na avaliação da recepção sensorial. Além disso, a avaliação dos sistemas sensoriais foi realizada de forma não padronizada, o que pode ter acarretado resultados menos precisos na população estudada.

ABSTRACT Objective: To review, in the literature, information regarding changes in the sensory systems of mouth breathers. Data sources: The search was conducted in the following databases PubMed, BIREME, LILACS, Web of Science and Scopus. The search was independently carried out by two researchers, following the selection criteria. Original articles that approached mouth breathing and changes in sensory systems published in Portuguese, English and Spanish were published. Literature review of articles, dissertations, book chapters, case studies and editorials were excluded. Data synthesis: We found 719 articles. Among them, 663 were excluded by the title and 22 by the summary. Among the 34 analyzed manuscripts, 23 were repeated and 8 were excluded by reading the full text. Thus, 3 articles were selected for this review. Conclusions: Most studies presents the occurrence of changes in sensory systems in mouth breathing children. However, sensory reception is a matter of more concern. Besides, the evaluation of sensory systems was not standardized, which may have led to less precise results in the studied population.

SENSORY CHANGES IN MOUTH BREATHERS: SYSTEMATIC REVIEW BASED ON THE PRISMA METHOD. / ALTERAÇÕES SENSORIAIS EM RESPIRADORES ORAIS: REVISÃO SISTEMÁTICA BASEADA NO MÉTODO PRISMA.

OBJECTIVE: To review, in the literature, information regarding changes in the sensory systems of mouth breathers. DATA SOURCES: The search was conducted in the following databases PubMed, BIREME, LILACS, Web of Science and Scopus. The search was independently carried out by two researchers, following the selection criteria. Original articles that approached mouth breathing and changes in sensory systems published in Portuguese, English and Spanish were published. Literature review of articles, dissertations, book chapters, case studies and editorials were excluded. DATA SYNTHESIS: We found 719 articles. Among them, 663 were excluded by the title and 22 by the summary. Among the 34 analyzed manuscripts, 23 were repeated and 8 were excluded by reading the full text. Thus, 3 articles were selected for this review. CONCLUSIONS: Most studies presents the occurrence of changes in sensory systems in mouth breathing children. However, sensory reception is a matter of more concern. Besides, the evaluation of sensory systems was not standardized, which may have led to less precise results in the studied population.

OBJETIVO: Revisar, na literatura, estudos que abordem alterações nos sistemas sensoriais apresentadas por respiradores orais. FONTE DE DADOS: A busca foi realizada nas bases de dados PubMed, BIREME, LILACS, Web of Science e Scopus. A busca foi realizada independentemente por dois pesquisadores, seguindo os critérios de seleção. Foram selecionados artigos originais que abordaram a respiração oral e as alterações nos sistemas sensoriais publicados nos idiomas português, inglês e espanhol. Os artigos de revisão da literatura, as dissertações, os capítulos de livros, os estudos de caso e os editoriais foram excluídos. SÍNTESE DOS DADOS: Foram encontrados 719 artigos, dos quais 663 foram excluídos pelo título e 22 pelo resumo. Trinta e quatro manuscritos foram analisados, dos quais 23 estavam repetidos e 8 foram excluídos pelo texto lido na íntegra. Assim, três artigos foram selecionados para esta revisão. CONCLUSÕES: A maioria dos estudos apresenta a ocorrência de alterações dos sistemas sensoriais em crianças respiradoras orais. Contudo, observa-se maior preocupação na avaliação da recepção sensorial. Além disso, a avaliação dos sistemas sensoriais foi realizada de forma não padronizada, o que pode ter acarretado resultados menos precisos na população estudada.

Growth and mouth breathers / Crescimento e respiradores orais

Abstract Objective: To assess the relationship between mouth breathing and growth disorders among children and teenagers. Data source: Search on MEDLINE database, over the last 10 years, by using the following terms: "mouth breathing", "adenotonsilar hypertrophy", "allergic rhinitis", "sleep disturbance" AND "growth impairment", "growth hormone", "failure to thrive", "short stature", or "failure to thrive". Data summary: A total of 247 articles were identified and, after reading the headings, this number was reduced to 45 articles, whose abstracts were read and, of these, 20 were deemed important and were included in the review. In addition of these articles, references mentioned in them and specific books on mouth breathing deemed important were included. Hypertrophy of palatine and/or pharyngeal tonsils, whether associated with allergic rhinitis, as well as poorly controlled allergic rhinitis, are the main causes of mouth breathing in children. Respiratory sleep disorders are frequent among these patients. Several studies associate mouth breathing with reduced growth, as well as with reduced growth hormone release, which are reestablished after effective treatment of mouth breathing (clinical and/or surgical). Conclusions: Mouth breathing should be considered as a potential cause of growth retardation in children; pediatricians should assess these patients in a broad manner.

Resumo Objetivo: Avaliar a relação entre respiração oral e distúrbios do crescimento entre crianças e adolescentes. Fonte de dados: Busca na base de dados do MEDLINE, nos últimos 10 anos, com o emprego dos seguintes termos: "mouth breathing" ou "adenotonsilar hypertrophy", ou "allergic rhinitis" ou sleep disturbance" AND "growth impairment" ou "growth hormone" ou "failure to thrive" ou "short stature" ou "failure to thrive". Síntese dos dados: Foram identificados 247 artigos, que após a leitura dos títulos foram reduzidos a 45, cujos resumos foram lidos e desses 20 foram considerados de importância e integraram a revisão. Além desses, referências por eles citadas e livros-texto específicos sobre respiração oral considerados importantes foram incluídos. A hipertrofia de tonsilas palatinas e/ou faríngeas, associada ou não à rinite alérgica, assim como a rinite alérgica mal controlada, é a principal causa de respiração oral na criança. Distúrbios respiratórios do sono são frequentes entre esses pacientes. Vários estudos associam a respiração oral à redução do crescimento, bem como à redução de liberação de hormônio do crescimento, que são restabelecidos após o tratamento efetivo da respiração oral (clínico e/ou cirúrgico). Conclusões: A respiração oral deve ser cogitada como possível causa de retardo de crescimento em crianças e cabe ao pediatra a tarefa de investigar esses pacientes de forma mais abrangente.

Dental considerations and recommendations in Eisenmenger syndrome: A report of an unusual paediatric case.

BACKGROUND: Eisenmenger syndrome (ES) is a heart cyanotic condition characterised by elevated pulmonary vascular resistance and an intra-cardiac right-to-left shunting of blood through a systemic-to-pulmonary circulation connection. Affected children usually exhibit severe hypoxia, clubbing of fingers/toes, haemoptysis, anaemia, and organ damage. CASE REPORT: During autumn 2015, the patient and her parents arrived at the paediatric dentistry clinic. The patient presented with the main complaint of generalised inflamed gingival tissues, severely protruded upper incisors, and evident abnormal mouth breathing. TREATMENT: This was performed under local analgesia, rubber-dam isolation, and antimicrobial prophylaxis with amoxicillin (50 mg/kg). The patient's parents agreed to the treatment plan through a signed informed consent. This treatment consisted of the placement of pit and fissure sealants on the four permanent first molars (which included enamel preparation with fissurotomy burs), in-depth gingiva/dental frequent cleanings, local fluoride varnish applications, and an exhaustive programme of at-home oral hygiene (brushing, flossing, and chlorhexidine mouth rinses), including adequate nutrition. Gingivoplasty surgery to remove residual enlarged tissues was indicated for the near future. FOLLOW-UP: The child did not return to the clinic. When contacted, the parents reported that their daughter's systemic condition worsened significantly. She was confined to a bed at home under palliative care, with a life-span expectation of only a few months. CONCLUSION: Comprehensive dental care of children with ES requires careful consideration of their medical condition, and dental care delivery should be coordinated with the paediatric cardiologist. General analgesia should be considered only in strictly selected cases, due to the high peri-operative mortality reported.