378 - Anterograde Amnesia after Nitrous Oxide Inhalation Sedation in Pediatric Patients

Abstract:

Purpose: The study aims to determine whether nitrous oxide inhalation sedation used for restorative dental procedures causes anterograde amnesia in children, specifically impairing their ability to form new memories during dental procedures.

Methods: A non-randomized prospective study was conducted for pediatric patients ages 3–14 years old undergoing restorative procedures using nitrous oxide inhalation sedation ranging from 30-60% nitrous concentration. The control group had routine recare appointments. Prior to the start of the dental procedure, each child was shown one randomly selected card from a set of 26 simple images corresponding to a letter of the alphabet. The card was displayed for five seconds, and the child was asked to name the picture. After the dental procedure, the child was asked whether they remembered the image presented prior to treatment. If the child recalled the image, the response was recorded as “no amnesia,” and if the child did not recall the image, it was recorded as “amnesia.” The same protocol was followed for routine recare patients.

Results: A total of 80 patients were included. Most children (88%) presented no anterograde amnesia after nitrous oxide inhalation sedation. There was a 93% recall ability in the control group. A chi-square analysis showed a P-value of 0.46.

Conclusion: Nitrous oxide/oxygen inhalation sedation did not result in significant postoperative anterograde amnesia compared with routine care without Nitrous oxide/oxygen inhalation sedation.

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