Predicting Factors for Hospitalization due to Odontogenic Infections in the Pediatric Population

Background: Orofacial infections of odontogenic origin are a common and important health concern in the pediatric population. Incorrect or late treatment may lead to serious and possibly life threatening complications.

Objective: The aim of this study is to analyze the data on pediatric hospitalizations due to odontogenic infections and to isolate parameters predicting prolonged length of stay (LOS).

Methods: Data was collected from the records of patients (age <15 years) who were hospitalized due to odontogenic infections in Pediatric/ Oral and maxillofacial surgery department in Baruch Padeh Poriya Medical Center- Israel between 1/2010-12/2015. Facial infections of other origin was excluded.

Results: A total of 411 patients were included. 58.7% of them were males, 66.9% of non-Jewish ethnicity. Roughly half were discharged after one day of hospitalization. 42.8% of patients were not previously treated with antibiotics. 79.8% of patients did not present >38° body temperature at admission and 98.8% of them were treated by drainage with or without extraction of the involved tooth. 91% of patients received antibiotics after discharge and 4.6% were admitted for rehospitalization. The calculated OR for odontogenic infections in patients from Arab background was 2.5 significantly higher (p<0.0001) than their Jewish counterparts. The mean age in the study was 6.53±2.59 years. There was significantly higher (P<0.05) values of White Blood Cells (WBC) and platelets in patients with >3 days LOS, patients with >3 days LOS were significantly older (8.36 vs 6.28) and OR for a prolonged LOS in Arab patients was 2.55 comparing to Jewish patients (p=0.01).

Conclusion: Risk factors for prolonged LOS were: older age, Arab ethnicity and higher WBC count and platelets values at admission.