The Incidence of Adverse Reactions Following 4% Septocaine (Articaine) in Children

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to report the incidence of adverse events following the use of 4% Septocaine in children. Methods: A prospective study was carried out on children attending university-based pediatric dental clinics for restorative care under local anesthesia. Data collection included patient demographics, medical history, amount and site of injection, and treatment complexity Follow-up telephone interviews were conducted with the parents at 3, 5, 24, and 48 hours regarding prolonged paresthesia, soft tissue injury and pain. Results: Two hundred sixty-four 2 to 14 year-olds were recruited for the study Complete interview information was obtained from 204 patients. Prolonged paresthesia at 3 hours post-injection was reported for 40% of the population and at 5 hours for 11%. Soft tissue injury occurred in 14% of the patients at 3 hours and was found to be highest among children younger than 7 years old. The hp was the most commonly affected site for accidental injury and it was not related to injection site. Twenty percent reported postprocedural pain at 3 and 5 hours post-treatment. Conclusions: Since prolonged numbness appears to be the most frequent adverse event and occurred primarily in children younger than 7 years old, parents need to be informed and reassured accordingly (Pediatr Dent 2008;30:424-8) Received September 25, 2007 / Last Revision December 1, 2007 / Revision Accepted December 6, 2007