Toothbrush vs. ventilator pneumonia: simple hygiene may save young lives
NCT ID NCT07287566
First seen Jun 25, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
This study tested whether cleaning children's mouths with a toothbrush and chlorhexidine three times a day could lower their risk of getting a lung infection while on a breathing machine in the PICU. Researchers compared this method to routine mouth care in 118 children. The goal was to see if the toothbrushing approach reduced infections, shortened time on the ventilator, and improved survival.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- toothbrushing with chlorhexidine
- What this could lead to
- If it works, this simple, low-cost method could become standard practice to prevent dangerous lung infections in children on breathing machines.
- What could go wrong
- This is a small, completed study (118 participants) and results may not apply to all hospitals or age groups. The intervention is low-risk, but effectiveness may vary.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
-
Not a phased trial
Phase numbers describe drug development. The registry uses this when they do not apply, as it does for trials of devices, procedures or behaviour changes, and for observational studies.
- Participants
-
118 people
The number who actually took part.
- Started
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Jun 2024
- Finished
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Jul 2025
- Lead sponsor
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Other sponsor
The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
- Ages
-
18 months to 16 years
- Sex
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Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
-
Not accepted
This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.
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Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria: dentate mechanically ventilated \- Exclusion Criteria: * primary immune deficiency coagulation disorders jaw fractures
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
Locations
-
Pediatric Intensive Care Units, Children Hospital, Ain shams university
Cairo, 00002, Egypt
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Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.
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