ODONTOGENIC MAXILLOFACIAL CELLULITIS IN CHILDREN: EPIDEMIOLOGICAL ASPECTS AND PREDICTORS

Abstract

Introduction: Odontogenic maxillofacial cellulitis is a serious acute infection of the cellulo-adipose tissues of the face and neck of dental origin that is life-threatening. The aim of this work is to determine the epidemiological aspects and predictive factors of odontogenic maxillofacial cellulitis. Materials and methods: This is a bi-centric, retrospective, cross-sectional, descriptive study, from March 2016 to July 2022, carried out in the stomatology and maxillofacial surgery department and the ENT department. All patients under 18 years of age hospitalised for management of odontogenic maxillofacial cellulitis were included. Patients over 18 years of age and those with non-odontogenic cellulitis were not included. The parameters studied were frequency, age, sex, place of residence, school attendance, tooth brushing, dental check-ups, consumption of cariogenic foods, use of NSAIDs and self-medication. Results: This study collected 72 files over a period of 6 years. The frequency was 5.05% compared to hospitalisations in general and 28.33% compared to hospitalisations for cellulitis only. There were 42 boys with a sex ratio of 1.4. The mean age was 9.03±5.71 years. 93% lived in urban areas. 84.7% had self-medicated for toothache. 52.8% had used non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Conclusion: Quite common condition in children. It is promoted by the consumption of cariogenic foods and self-medication with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.