Infectious endocarditis in children with congenital heart defects: the importance of the oral cavity health

The health of the oral cavity and cardiovascular system are closely related. Bacteria from the oral cavity can enter the bloodstream and cause infectious endocarditis (IE). Children with artificial valves or artificial material used during surgical procedures and cyanotic congenital heart defects (CHD) are particularly vulnerable. Purpose - to summarize literature data on the need of prevention of IE in healthy children and in children with CHD before dental interventions; to determine whether prophylactic antibiotic therapy should be routinely prescribed to children without CHD and children with corrected and uncorrected CHD. It is important to understand why IE affects particularly the valves. Bacteria spread with the blood stream and settle down on valves with a rough surface (prosthetic or anatomically altered). The peculiarity of the blood supply to the valves and the individual state of the patient's immune system determine the difficulty of fighting against the infection. According to the literature data, children with CHD are at greater risk of developing caries due to insufficient mineralization of primary tooth enamel, reduced saturation, and cardiac medications they take reduce salivation, thus increasing the risk of caries. Children with CHD and poor oral health have a high risk of developing oral bacteraemia and a greater risk of developing IE compared to children CHD and satisfactory oral health. Scientists concluded that, in fact, low-grade accumulative bacteremia is associated with daily brushing, flossing and chewing and is much more likely to cause IE compared to a one-time dental intervention. Therefore, it is concluded that maintaining optimal oral health plays a much more important role in reducing the frequency of IE than routine antibiotic prophylaxis for all dental interventions. Conclusions. Individual and professional hygiene and dental treatment should be carried out routinely for all children, regardless of age and concomitant pathology. Dental caries and its complications, as well as periodontitis serve as a potential source of bacteremia that threatens by the development of IE, which is simply - sepsis with a focus in the heart. Children who are not at risk of developing IE should not be routinely prescribed prophylactic antibiotic therapy. Instead, children with corrected and uncorrected CHD are at increased risk of developing IE and therefore require prophylactic antibiotic therapy during and after dental procedures. No conflict of interests was declared by the authors.