title: Dental care of the pediatric patient with splenic dysfunction.
abstract: The spleen is strategically situated in the vascular tree to filtrate the circulating blood, therefore it is of paramount importance in the defense against pathogenic organisms. Sepsis in individuals who have splenic dysfunction or have had a splenectomy is a life-long risk, thus patients, caretakers and health professionals should prevent infections and recognize them promptly so that treatment can be instituted immediately. This manuscript reviews the consequences of splenic dysfunction and provides recommendations for dental care of the pediatric patient.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthodontics and Pediatric Dentistry, University of Michigan School of Dentistry, Ann Arbor, USA. marcio@umich.edu
authors.forename: FonsecaMarcioA
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: da
authors.forename: Alexander
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hirsch
mesh_terms: D019072:Antibiotic Prophylaxis / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D001424:Bacterial Infections / Q000517:prevention & control; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D019140:Dental Care for Children; D017742:Dental Care for Chronically Ill; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D013156:Splenectomy; D013158:Splenic Diseases; D014611:Vaccination