Background and objective Sickle cell anemia (SCA) is one of the common genetic diseases in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). This disease results from a genetic mutation that causes malformation of the red blood cells (RBCs), leading to various systemic complications, including vaso-occlusive crisis (VOC), acute chest syndrome (ACS), osteomyelitis, avascular necrosis (AVN), and stroke, to name a few. The leading cause of mortality in SCA is these systemic complications rather than the disease itself. Understanding the risk factors of these complications can help reduce mortality in these patients and improve their quality of life. In this study, we aimed to determine the risk factors of SCA complications among pediatric patients with SCA at King Abdulaziz University Hospital (KAUH) in Jeddah, KSA. Methods This retrospective study was carried out from January 2012 till June end 2019. It was conducted among pediatric patients with SCA. Patients were screened for eligibility, and we excluded those with thalassemia and those who had a medical history of chronic diseases. Data were collected from patients’ electronic medical records. Results The study included 102 pediatric patients with SCA; their mean age was 7.88 ±4.22 years; almost half of them were females (56%) and 44% were males. The dominant body mass index (BMI) classification among them was normal (49%). Urinary tract infection (UTI) was the most common complication with 38 cases followed by VOC with 32 cases. Other complications observed were ACS (25.5%) followed by stroke (15.7%). HbSS was the most prominent genotype among these patients, and it was associated with a higher rate of complications. However, there was no significant relationship between genotype and patients developing complications. Finally, patients with high white blood cell (WBC) counts, elevated systolic blood pressure (SBP), and hypoxia developed more complications, and there was a significant relationship between these conditions and the development of complications (p<0.05). Conclusion Based on our findings, patients with high WBC count, elevated SBP, and hypoxia are at greater risk of developing complications. Accordingly, healthcare providers should consider putting in place all measures required to provide a good quality of life for these patients, including raising awareness about the risk factors that lead to these complications, appropriate immunizations, and precautionary measures to promote these patients' welfare.

Aim: The aim of this study was to detect the use of resin composite and amalgam restorations placed inpermanent posterior teeth by undergraduate dental students in university dental hospitals in Saudi Arabia.Materials and Methods: 276 patients aged ≥8 years were randomly selected and clinically examined foramalgam and resin composite restorations placed in permanent posterior teeth with living pulps byundergraduate dental students in university dental hospitals in Saudi Arabia. The restorations were placedin teeth preparations Class I and Class II. Also, bitewing and or periapical radiographs were used to definethe depth of the cavity. The data obtained were documented in a patient examination form then statisticallyanalyzed using Chi-Square Test or Fisher-Freeman-Halton Test.Results: Composite was the main kind of restoration placed by dental students. There was an insignificantrelationship between the kind of restoration (amalgam or composite) and the tooth type(maxillary/mandibular premolar and maxillary/mandibular molar), the class of tooth preparation, the cavitydepth, the age of the patient, and the gender of the patient p > 0.05.Conclusion: Composite was the most commonly restorative material used by dental students. Gradualreduction in the use of amalgam should be evidence-based. Students should obtain the necessarycompetencies for decision making according to each individual case.

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