Oral health management in children with severe congenital neutropenia with periodontitis: Case report

Rationale: Severe congenital neutropenia (SCN) is a rare and heterogeneous genetic disease. By describing the diagnosis and treatment of a child with SCN and periodontitis, this case provides a reference for the oral health management of a child with SCN and periodontitis. Patient concerns: We describe a boy with clinical manifestations of oral bleeding, neutropenia, recurrent fever, and other recurrent infections. The absolute neutrophil count (ANC) was <0.50 x 109/L most of the time. Morphological examination of bone marrow cells showed active granulocyte hyperplasia and dysmaturation. Diagnoses: According to the clinical manifestations, hematological examination and gene detection results, the child was diagnosed as SCN with chronic periodontitis. Interventions: Periodontal treatment was performed after informed consent was obtained from the child guardian. These included supragingival and subgingival cleaning, hydrogen peroxide and saline irrigation, placement of iodoglycerin in the gingival sulcus, and oral hygiene instruction. Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) was performed later. Outcomes: One month after initial periodontal treatment, oral hygiene was well maintained and gingival swelling had subsided. Probing depth (PD) index on periodontal probing and bleeding was significantly reduced. However, there was no significant change in blood routine and other indicators before and after periodontal treatment. Conclusion: Once SCN is diagnosed, individualized treatment plans can be developed according to the characteristics of the disease and its impact on oral health, which can effectively control the interaction between SCN and periodontal disease and reduce the occurrence of serious infection.