Oral and systemic manifestations, and dental management of a pediatric patient with Tetralogy of Fallot. A case report.
Introduction. Tetralogy of Fallot is a congenital heart disease and the most common cyanotic heart defect in children. It is clinically characterized by a ventricular septal defect, pulmonary stenosis, overriding aorta over ventricular septal defect and right ventricular hypertrophy. There is little or no information about the oral manifestations in patients with this pathology. A report and discussion of a pediatric patient diagnosed with Tetralogy of Fallot, its clinical manifestations, oral findings and dental management are presented. Case Report. A four year old male patient diagnosed with Tetralogy of Fallot and epileptic attacks. The patient has deciduous teeth with many severe early childhood caries, stomatitis and cyanotic mucous, radicular remains, periapical abscess and noticeable enamel hypoplasia. Conclusions. In agreement with other authors, children with systemic diseases such as Tetralogy of Fallot have a higher rate of caries, poor oral hygiene, high susceptibility to other infections and bacterial endocarditis, cyanotic mucous membranes and enamel hypoplasia. Primary prevention is critical, proper dental hygiene, regular dental check ups and the use of antibiotic prophylaxis are particularly important, especially in high risk patients.