title: Self-inflicted oral injury in an infant with transverse myelitis.
abstract: Acute transverse myelitis (ATM) is an inflammatory disorder that affects the spinal cord. It is characterized by signs and symptoms of neurologic dysfunction in the motor and sensory tracts of the spinal cord bilaterally, resulting in weakness, sensory loss, and autonomic dysfunction with acute or subacute onset. We report on a child who had ATM and respiratory distress requiring ventilatory assistance who presented with severe self-mutilation involving his lips. Other findings included bruxism that had caused mobility of the primary teeth. Comprehensive dental care was carried out under sedation. The management of the lip trauma was achieved by the use of a soft, plastic mouth guard, and corticosteroid ointment.
authors.affiliation: Postgraduate Student, Department of Pediatric Dentistry, School of Dentistry, Veiga de Almeida University, Brazil.
authors.forename: Daniela
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Almeida
authors.forename: Kalini Nóbrega Neres
authors.initials: KN
authors.lastname: da Costa
authors.forename: Rodolfo de Almeida Lima
authors.initials: Rde A
authors.lastname: Castro
authors.forename: Marta Lua Pimentel Winz
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Almeida
authors.forename: Roberto
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Vianna
authors.forename: Andréa Gonçalves
authors.initials: AG
authors.lastname: Antonio
mesh_terms: D001734:Bites, Human / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D002012:Bruxism / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D003730:Dental Care for Persons with Disabilities; D005151:Facial Injuries / Q000517:prevention & control; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008046:Lip / Q000293:injuries*; D008297:Male; D009064:Mouth Protectors; D009187:Myelitis / Q000150:complications*; D012652:Self Mutilation / Q000209:etiology*