Effect of a Standardized Oral Care Program on Oral Mucositis in Children Undergoing Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation: A Randomized Controlled Trial(SOC-HSCT)

Overview

Oral mucositis is one of the most common and debilitating complications in pediatric patients undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). Severe oral mucositis can lead to pain, nutritional impairment, infection, prolonged hospitalization, and increased healthcare costs. This randomized controlled trial aims to evaluate whether a standardized oral care program consisting of caregiver education, supervised tooth brushing, sodium bicarbonate mouth rinsing, oral moisturizing, and compliance monitoring can reduce the incidence and severity of oral mucositis compared with routine oral care. A total of 126 pediatric HSCT recipients will be randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to the intervention or control group. Clinical outcomes, oral pain, inflammatory biomarkers, oral microbiota, and metabolomic profiles will be evaluated throughout the transplantation period.

Oral mucositis is one of the most frequent and clinically significant complications in pediatric patients receiving hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). Characterized by painful inflammation and ulceration of the oral mucosa, oral mucositis can substantially impair oral intake, nutritional status, communication, and quality of life. In severe cases, it may increase the risk of bloodstream infections, require opioid analgesia, prolong hospitalization, and affect the overall course of transplantation. Currently, preventive and supportive strategies for oral mucositis in HSCT patients mainly include oral hygiene maintenance, antimicrobial interventions, pain management, and symptomatic treatment. However, the incidence and severity of oral mucositis remain high, particularly in pediatric HSCT recipients, due to factors including intensive conditioning regimens, immature oral care behaviors, altered immune status, and changes in the oral microbiome. Therefore, effective, standardized, and feasible preventive oral care strategies are still needed. Emerging evidence suggests that maintenance of oral microbial homeostasis and improvement of oral hygiene may play important roles in reducing mucosal injury and preventing the progression of oral mucositis. However, existing oral care protocols vary considerably among institutions, and the effectiveness of comprehensive standardized oral care programs in pediatric HSCT populations requires further evaluation. This clinical trial aims to evaluate the effectiveness of a standardized oral care intervention program for preventing and reducing oral mucositis in pediatric patients undergoing HSCT. The intervention integrates structured oral hygiene management, oral care education, adherence monitoring, and supportive oral management throughout the transplantation process. The study is designed to provide clinical evidence regarding the role of standardized oral care in improving oral health outcomes and reducing oral mucositis-related complications in pediatric HSCT recipients. The results may contribute to establishing evidence-based oral care protocols and improving supportive care strategies for children undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.