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Evarist Mulyahela Wilson,1 Irene Kida Minja,1,2 Ferdinand Mabula Machibya,3 Agnes Jonathan,4 Julie Makani,2,4 Paschal Ruggajo,5 Emmanuel Balandya2,6 1Department of Restorative Dentistry, Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania; 2Sickle Pan-African Research Consortium (SPARCO), Dar es Salaam, Tanzania; 3Department of Orthodontics, Pedodontics and Community Dentistry, Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania; 4Department of Hematology and Blood Transfusion, Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania; 5Department of Internal Medicine, Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania; 6Department of Physiology, Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, Dar es Salaam, TanzaniaCorrespondence: Evarist Mulyahela Wilson, Department of Restorative Dentistry, Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, P. O. Box 65014, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, Tel +255757352296, Email evarist1818@gmail.comPurpose: To determine oxygen saturation in the pulp of primary teeth in children with sickle cell disease (SCD) and sickle cell trait (SCT) for establishing the usefulness of pulse oximetry in screening and monitoring of SCD or therapy.Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study among 30– 60 months children with sickle cell disease (SCD) and sickle cell trait (SCT) compared with healthy children (HbAA). A pulse oximeter (BCI 3301) recorded oxygen saturation on six anterior primary maxillary teeth and on index fingers. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 20.0. Mean oxygen saturation for teeth and fingers was calculated. Comparison of Mean across groups was done using post hoc analysis in one-way ANOVA (Bonferroni test). Pearson correlation coefficient was calculated for mean oxygen saturation on fingers and teeth. Level of significance was set at 0.05.Results: Altogether 360, 102, and 96 teeth were examined from children with SCD, SCT, and HbAA respectively. 53% of participants were girls. The mean age of participants was 46.3 months ± 9.4 SD. Low mean oxygen saturation (77.5%) was recorded from teeth of children with SCD relative to those with SCT and HbAA (> 86%; P = 0.00). There was no statistically significant difference in oxygen saturation on teeth between children with SCT and HbAA. The mean oxygen saturation on fingers was found to be above 97.2% regardless of sickle cell status. There was no correlation between oxygen saturation on teeth and fingers.Conclusion: Pulse oximeter detected a lower oxygen saturation in dental pulp of primary teeth of participants with SCD (HbSS) relative to those with SCT (HbAS) and HbAA. Oxygen saturation on fingers remained unaffected regardless of sickle cell disease status. Although more studies are needed, our study shows that when other conditions affecting peripheral tissue oxygen delivery are ruled out, the low pulse oximetry in primary teeth may be indicative of SCD. The oximeter may also be useful in monitoring response to SCD therapy targeted at improving oxygen carrying capacity and delivery.Keywords: pulse oximeter, dental pulp, microcirculation, oximetry |
