Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Dental management
of children with asthma
Jian-Fu Zhu, DDS, MS HumbertoA. Hidalgo, MD, MS W. Corbett Holmgreen, DDS, MD
Spencer W. Redding, DDS, MEdJan Hu, BDS, PhDRobert J. Henry, DDS, MS
Pediatric
Dentistry- 18:5,1996 American
Academy
of PediatricDentistry363
or mycoplasmalrespiratory tract infections, exposures cromolyn and nedocromil can prevent allergen-in-
to nonspecific airway irritants (such as cigarette duced early asthmatic responses and late asthmatic
smoke), and tapering of anti-inflammatory medications responses, and may help reduce airway reactivity28
either by design or noncompliance.Exercise, especially These medications, however, have no significant role
in cold weather, triggers symptomsin approximately in the management of acute asthma attacks29 Oral theo-
80%of children with asthma.15 Cigarette smoke is a phylline, which has bronchodilator and some anti-in-
nonspecific airway irritant that can increase the fre- flammatory effects, is another option for moderate
quency and severity of respiratory symptomsin chil- asthma. Lastly, inhaled corticosteroids are very effec-
dren with asthma. More severe asthma, diminished tive anti-inflammatory agents and are recommended
lung function, and increased episodes of respiratory for use in children with moderate to severe asthma,
infections are seen often in children whose parents although there are more concerns about their long-term
smoke.16 Emotional and psychological stress also may safety. Inhaled steroids provide good control for
trigger asthmatic attacks. Aspirin and beta adrenergic chronic asthma symptomsand are convenient because
blockers have been shown to trigger bronchospasmby they can be administered twice dailyo 2° In general,
a non-IgE-mediated mechanism. Reactions to food or asthmathat is morethan mild in severity requires treat-
food additives as well as IgE-mediatedinsect reactions ment with an anti-inflammatory agent and with ~R ago-
and adverse responses to allergen desensitization treat- nists "as needed", preferably via inhalation.
ments also have been reported27 IgE-mediated bron- Acute asthma is a medical emergencyand initiation
chospasmfollowing ingested or injected agents mayoc- of therapy should not be delayed. The goal in treating
cur independently, but typically is part of a more acute asthma is to eliminate symptoms and improve
generalized allergic reaction depicted clinically by an- lung function as quickly as possible. 2~ Initial treatment
gioedema, urticaria, and/or anaphylaxis. Epinephrine for acute severe asthma typically involves an inhaled
is indicated in subjects whoseacute asthma is a com- ~2 agonist such as albuterol. = Albuterol is a rapid-act-
ponent of such a systemic reaction. ing drug whose maximal effects are seen within min-
uteso23 Administrationin the hospital is via a jet nebu-
Medical management lizer driven by 100%oxygen through a face mask~4 or
Acute and chronic asthma are classified into mild, via a metered dose inhaler with a "spacer". Spacers are
moderate, and severe according to the severity and fre- aerosol holding chambersthat help coordinate metered
quency of occurrence of the signs and symptomsand dose inhaler actuation with inhalation; their use also
according to the degree of airway obstruction as mea- helps minimizeoral and enhance lung deposition of the
sured with pulmonary function tests (Table 1). The aerosolized drugs. Ipratropium bromide (an
medical management of childhood asthma is deter- anticholinergic) is a less potent bronchodilator used by
minedaccording to these criteria. However,the sever- some patients with moderate or severe acute asthma
ity of either acute or chronic asthma mayvary within because whenit is administered with albuterol, it pro-
the same patient over time, and therefore adjustments vides an additive effect. Moderate doses of systemic
in treatment frequently are necessary. The goals of corticosteroids (about 2 mg/kg/day of prednisone or
asthma therapy according to NHLBI guidelines equivalent) also are recommendedfor patients with
include: acute severe asthma. 21 Finally, supportive treatment of
1. Maintainingnormal activity levels (including ex- acute severe asthma includes supplemental oxygen,
ercise) fluid and electrolyte maintenance, anxiety relief, and
2. Maintaining near normal pulmonary function endotracheal intubation and, in extreme situations,
3. Preventing chronic symptoms 2°
mechanical ventilation.
4. Preventing recurrent exacerbations of asthma
5. 9Avoidingadverse effects from asthma medication. Associatedoral problems
Pharmacological managementof chronic childhood A 1993 restrospective study from Sweden reported
asthma involves two main categories of drugs: anti- an increased prevalence in caries in children with mod-
inflammatory agents and bronchodilators (Table 2). erate to severe asthma.25 The mechanismfor this devel-
Children with mild asthma often are managed only opment may relate to ~2-agonist effects on salivary
with inhaled ~2 receptor agonist bronchodilators, such gland function. Another report found that these agents
as albuterol and terbutaline sulfate. The typical out- decrease the secretion of whole saliva by 20%and pa-
patient maintenance dose of albuterol is one to two rotid saliva by 35%,and are associated with an increase
puffs (90 ~g each) every 4 to 6 hr as needed for symp- in the numberof lactobacillio 26 These adverse changes
toms. However,excessive use of ~2 agonists (more than contribute to an increased caries susceptibility. Dueto
200 inhalations per month)is a sign of poorly controlled this risk asthmatic children should receive special car-
asthma. Cromolyn sodium and nedocromil sodium are ies prevention attention.
anti-inflammatory agents that work in part by prevent- The role of impaired nasorespiratory function as an
ing mast cell release of mediators and are used in pa- etiologic factor in the development of certain
tients with moderate asthma. Given prophylactically, dentofacial deformities has been suggested.~7,~8 Bresolin
364American
Academy
of PediatricDentistry Pediatric
Dentistry- 18:5,1996
TABLE
1. CATEGORIZATION OF ACUTE AND CHRONIC ASTHMA IN CHILDREN
Respiratory rate Normal to 30% 30-50% above > 50% above mean
above mean above mean mean
Treatment
[~2-agonist Inhaled Inhaled Inhaled or
subcutaneous
Treatment
[~2-agonists
Anti-inflammatory None; ~.r.n.
romolyn or low
Daily
High dose
dose inhaled dose inh~aled
steroids steroids plus
theophy~line
Generic Common
Categon? Name Trade Names Comments Side Effects
Bronchodilator
Inhaled t2
Short acting °Albuterol TM,
Ventolin First line Transient
TM
Proventil drugs; tachycardia,
recommended tremor,
use "as nausea; less
needed" for frequently
~ mptoms.
fects last 4-6
nervousnes,
palpitations
TM
Terbutaline ° Brethaire
TM
Bitolterol Tornalate
Pirbuterol Maxair
TM
Autohaler
TM,
Metaproternol" Alupent
TM
Metaprel
Inhaled
Anticholinergic
°Ipratropium TM
Atrovent Not used as Cough,
first line drug nervousness
in children nausea
Oral
TM,
Theophylline Theodur Used as Nausea,
TM
Slobid maintenance vomiting,
therapy, may epigastric
need to pain. Less
monitor blood trequently
levels. Fever, caffeine-like
erythromycin CNSeffects
and cimetidine
increase blood
levels
Anti-inflammatory
TM,
Inhaled Steroids Beclomethasone Beclovent Most effective Oropharyngeal
TM
Vanceril inhaled anti- candidiasis,
inflammatory hoarseness,
agents. Impact throat
on growth in irritation.
children remains Very high
controversial doses may
cause adrenal
suppression
TM
Triarncinolone Azmacort
TM
Flunisolide Aerobid
Other Inhaled
Anti-inflammatory Agents
°Cromolyn TM
Intal Safest inhaled Cough,
anti-inflamma- whe~ing¢ throat
tory agent, first irritation
choice in children
TM
Nedocromil Tilade Similar to Bad taste,
cromolyn cough,
wheezing
"Alsoavailablein nebulizersolution.
PediatricDentistry
- 18:5,1996 American
Academy
of PediatricDentistry367
allergic to aspirin and other nonsteroidal anti-inflam- The following steps should be taken to manage an
matory agents, s5 Thus, acetaminophen usually is rec- acute asthmatic attack in the dental office:
ommended for these children. Patients taking theo- 1. Discontinue the dental procedure and allow the
phylline preparations should not receive erythromycin, patient to sit or lie down in a comfortable posi-
because it interferes with the metabolism of theophyl- tion
49
line and raises its blood level into the toxic range. 2. Keep the airway open and administer ~2-ago-
Historically, dentists have been warned not to use lo- nists with inhaler or nebulizer
cal anesthetics with vasoconstrictors in asthmatic pa- 3. Administer oxygen via face mask nasal hood,
tients because vasoconstrictors contain sodium or cannula
metabisulfite, a highly allergenic substance.S6, 57 Despite 4. If no improvement takes place and the patient
this warning, local anesthetics with vasoconstrictors is worsening, administer epinephrine subcuta-
have been used safely2 s However, from another point neously (1:1000 solution, 0.01 mg/kg of body
of view, local anesthetics with vasoconstrictors should weight to a maximumdose of 0.3 mg), and sum-
be used with caution since they may add to the effects s°
mon medical assistance,
of ~2-agonists, resulting in palpitations, increased blood It is very important to continue the therapy and keep
4s
pressure, and arrhythmias. a satisfactory oxygen saturation level until the patient
Asthmatic children exposed to systemic glucocorti- is free of wheezing or until medical transportation is
coids (GC) may be at risk for developing adrenal insuf- available to take the patient to an emergency room. The
ficiency during major dental procedures or general episode should be documented in detail and reported
anesthesia. They also have a greater risk (up to three to the child’s primary care physician.
times) than children without asthma for developing
s9
anesthesia-related complications postoperatively, Wethank Drs. EdwardSweeneyand David King, department of
pediatric dentistry; Dr. Daniel Chan, departmentof restorative
Children with asthma on maintenance systemic GC
dentistry; Dr. Alan Cox, department of pediatrics; Mrs. Dianne
(daily or every other day) are adrenally suppressed and Scales, departmentof pediatric dentistry, University of Texas
need to be supplemented on the day of the dental pro- Health ScienceCenterat San Antonio,Texas, for their assistance
s9
cedure by doubling the patient’s usual daily dose. and advice.
Children at risk for developing adrenal insufficiency
with major dental procedures or general anesthesia Dr. Zhuis a fellow, pediatric dental service, Children’sHospital
include those who have had four or more brief courses of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Dr. Huis assistant professor, Dr.
(4-5 days/course) 6° or a continuous 10-14 day course Henryis associate professor and director of the postdoctoral pro-
gramat departmentof pediatric dentistry; Dr. Hidalgois associ-
of systemic GC for acute asthma within the previous ate professor and chief, division of pulmonology,departmentof
year, and those who have taken systemic GC within 30 pediatrics; Dr. Holmgreenis associate professor and director in
days. 59 These children probably need to receive stress the division of dental anesthesiology,departmentof anesthesiol-
replacement doses of steroids (60 mg hydrocortisone ogy; Dr. Reddingis associate dean for advancededucation and
m2/dose) 6-8 hr before, and again I hr before the pro- hospital affairs, DentalSchool,Universityof TexasHealthScience
Center at San Antonio,Texas.
cedure, 61 although this is not generally agreed to by all
authors.Sg, 62 Children with asthma who do not fit these 1. Cropp GJA:Special features of asthma in children. Chest
categories, and those who do but are undergoing only 87:[Suppl55s-62s], 1985.
minor dental procedures, such as routine examination, 2. McCarthy TP, Lenney W: Managementof asthma in pre-
school children. Br J GenPract 42:429-34,1992.
cleaning, and simple operative procedures, do not re- 3. Sly RM:Changingasthma mortality. Ann Allergy 73:259-
s9
quire supplemental steroids, 68, 1994.
Children with severe asthma require an anesthesi- 4. Weiss KB, Gergen PJ, HodgsonTA: An economic evalua-
ology evaluation to avoid the risk of developing peri- tion of asthmain the United States. N Engl J Med326:862-
and postoperative complications. A review of the 66, 1992.
5. Casey KR, Winterbauer RH: Acute severe asthma: Howto
patient’s history, a physical examination, and in se- recognizeand respondto a life-threatening attack. Postgrad
lected patients, a determination of pulmonary function Med97:71-78, 1995.
(chest radiograph and peak expiratory flow or spirom- 6. Wilson NM:Wheezybronchitis revisited. Arch Dis Child
etry) may be necessary to identify those who require 64:1194-99,1989
adjustment of their asthma therapy prior to dental 7. CloughJ: Asthmain the very young. Practitioner 239:198-
202, 1995.
treatment. Pulmonary function tests can identify some 8. Martinez FD, Wright AL, Taussig LM,Holberg CJ, Halonen
patients who are asymptomatic but are significantly M, MorganWJ: Asthmaand wheezingin the first six years
obstructed and have a below-normal FEV1 (the forced of life. The GroupHealth MedicalAssociates. N Engl J Med
expiratory volume in I sec, a commonmeasure of air- 332:133-38, 1995. [Comment 332:181-82, 1995]
way obstruction). Poorly controlled patients and those 9. National AsthmaAdvisory Panel Guidelines for the Diag-
nosis and Treatment of Asthma. J Allergy Clin Immunol
with nocturnal wheezing, frequent severe attacks, un- 88:425-34,1991.
controlled exercise-induced bronchospasm, or poor 10. Djukanovic R, Roche WR, Wilson JW, Beasley CR,
pulmonary function, should have dental treatment TwentymanOP, HowarthRH, Holgate ST: Mucosal inflam-
postponed until the asthma is controlled. mation in asthma. AmRev Respir Dis 142:434-57, 1990.
FutureAnnual
Sessions
of the American
Academy
of PediatricDentsitry
50th
AnnualSession 51stAnnualSession
May22-27, 1997 May21-26, 1998
Philadelphia SanDiego
Philadelphia
MarriottHotel SanDiegoMarriottHotel&Marina
52nd
AnnualSession 53rd
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May27-June1, 1999 May25-May30, 2000
Toronto Nashvi
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