151 - Title: Oral Findings in Pediatric Patients with Short Bowel Syndrome

Purpose: This study aims to characterize oral health conditions in pediatric patients with short bowel syndrome (SBS) in order to establish specific guidelines for their oral and dental management.

Methods: Sixty-five children, ages 2 through 12 years, diagnosed with severe intestinal failure by 30 days of age and requiring at least 90 days of parenteral nutrition by 90 days of age, were evaluated at the Boston Children’s Hospital (BCH) Center for Advanced Intestinal Rehabilitation Clinic. Clinical exam findings, salivary samples for pH and buffering capacity assessments, and medical/dental histories were analyzed and compared to healthy low risk controls (N=65) recruited from the BCH dental clinic as well as NHANES data regarding national caries prevalence.

Results: Certain oral health conditions including hypomineralization (P < .0001), erosion (P=.0065), attrition (P=.0085), intrinsic staining (P < .005), and calculus accumulation (P < .001) were significantly more prevalent in the SBS population relative to healthy controls. Children with SBS did not exhibit increased caries prevalence compared to national data (NHANES, 2015-2016). There was no difference in salivary pH and buffering capacity between SBS patients and healthy controls.

Conclusions: Patients with SBS require regular dental recare to monitor and manage a multitude of oral health conditions. Patients with oral aversions and calculus accumulation may benefit from increased periodicity of recare to debride the hard tissue deposits. Anticipatory guidance regarding oral health conditions, dental appearance, and home care should be addressed by medical and dental providers involved in the care of patients with SBS.