Increase in Odontogenic Cervicofacial Infection Requiring Hospitalization in Children During COVID-19 Quarantine

Odontogenic Infections in Children During COVID-19

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of Coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) quarantines on children hospitalized
for odontogenic cervicofacial infection. The data of patients aged 1 month-18 years, who were followed up with the diagnosis of
odontogenic cervicofacial infection in Çanakkale Onsekiz Mart University Hospital between January 2019 and June 2021 was
examined, retrospectively. Thirteen patients with a mean age of 8.5±3.8, 7 of whom were male were included in the study. Three of the patients were diagnosed in the pre-COVID-19 period and 10 of them were diagnosed in the second year of COVID-19. Five patients had a known history of dental caries. On physical examination, it was determined that all patients had dental caries in the area corresponding to the infection site. Four patients required abscess drainage, all of whom were presenting in the second year of COVID-19, we isolated Eikenella corrodens, Streptococcus anginosus and Streptococcus intermedius microorganisms in 3 patients. The mean duration of hospitalization was 5.3±3 days. In conclusion, COVID-19 quarantine causes an increase in odontogenic cervicofacial infection requiring intravenous antibiotics and abscess drainage.