The Impact of Sleep Disorders on Immune System Function in Adults: A Survey-Based Study at Alexandria University Hospital

Background:Dental caries remains among the most prevalent chronic diseases in childhood, often requiring extensive treatment that challenges both cooperation and safety.Non-pharmacological behavior management techniques may be insufficient, making sedation and general anesthesia (GA) critical for facilitating care.However, questions remain regarding the relative safety, efficacy, and patient-centered outcomes of these modalities in pediatric dentistry. Objective:To evaluate and compare the indications, intraoperative safety, postoperative morbidity, procedural efficiency, and parental satisfaction associated with sedation versus GA in pediatric dental procedures. Methods:A prospective cohort study was conducted involving 330 children (aged 2-12 years) undergoing dental procedures under either sedation (n = 165) or GA (n = 165) at two specialized centers.Baseline characteristics, intraoperative adverse events, procedure completion, recovery profiles, and postoperative morbidity (24 hours) were recorded using standardized instruments, including the Pediatric Sedation Research Consortium (PSRC) adverse event taxonomy and Houpt Behavior Rating Scale.Parental satisfaction was assessed via structured questionnaires.Statistical analysis included chi-square, t-tests, and logistic regression (SPSS v27, p < 0.05). Results:Sedation was associated with higher rates of transient airway complications (hypoxemia 7.3% vs 2.4%, airway obstruction 4.8% vs 1.2%) but shorter recovery times (35.2 12.1 min vs 58.9 18.3 min).GA achieved 100% treatment completion and higher cooperation scores but showed significantly more postoperative morbidity (nausea 16.4% vs 5.5%, sore throat 24.8% vs 3.0%, drowsiness 39.4% vs 10.9%).Parental satisfaction was high in both groups, though higher in GA (4.6 vs 4.3; repeat-choice 94.5% vs 85.5%).Logistic regression identified younger age (<5 years), procedure duration >60 min, and sedation as independent predictors of adverse events. Conclusion:Both sedation and GA are safe and effective when delivered under appropriate protocols.Sedation carries increased intraoperative airway risks but offers faster recovery and less morbidity, while GA guarantees comprehensive treatment at the expense of greater postoperative discomfort.Clinical decision-making should be individualized, balancing procedural complexity, child factors, and parental preferences.