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Published on: October 13, 2023
Salivary parameters in infants aged 12 to 60 months with Down syndrome
Walter Luiz Siqueira1, Michelle Foigel Siqueira, Zan Mustacchi
1Department of Periodontology and Oral Biology, Goldman School of Dental Medicine, Boston University, Boston, Mass., USA. wlsiqueira@gmail.com
Insights
Children with Down syndrome (DS) show altered whole saliva composition. Saliva from children with DS had higher protein and sodium but lower flow rate, pH, amylase, and peroxidase compared to controls.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Pediatric Dentistry
- Genetics
Background:
- Down syndrome (DS) is a genetic disorder associated with various health complications.
- Salivary composition can be affected by genetic and developmental factors.
- Understanding salivary changes in children with DS is crucial for oral health management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To quantify specific salivary components in young children with Down syndrome.
- To compare salivary profiles between children with and without Down syndrome.
Main Methods:
- Whole saliva was collected from 20 children with DS and 18 controls (aged 12-60 months).
- Measurements included salivary pH, electrolytes (calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, sodium, potassium), sialic acid, amylase, and peroxidase.
- Analytical techniques included pH meter, ICP-AES, thiobarbituric acid assay, and enzyme activity assays.
Main Results:
- No significant differences in sialic acid, calcium, phosphorus, or magnesium.
- Higher protein and sodium concentrations in children with DS.
- Lower salivary flow rate, pH, amylase, and peroxidase activity in children with DS.
Conclusions:
- Children with Down syndrome exhibit distinct salivary biochemical profiles.
- Altered salivary parameters in DS may impact oral health, necessitating further investigation.
- These findings contribute to understanding the oral health implications of Down syndrome.
Abstract:
The purpose of this study was to measure certain components in whole saliva from children with Down syndrome aged 12 months to 60 months. Twenty children with Down syndrome were compared with 18 children without Down syndrome. Whole saliva was collected under slight suction and the salivary pH was measured with a portable pH meter soon after collection. Electrolyte concentrations were determined by inductively coupled argon plasma with atomic emission spectrometry. Sialic acid was determined by thiobarbituric acid assay. Amylase was assayed measuring the maltose produced by the breakdown of starch and peroxidase with ortho-dianisidine. No statistically significant differences were observed in sialic acid, calcium, phosphorus and magnesium concentrations between the group with Down syndrome and the control group. Protein and sodium concentration were higher in the group with Down syndrome compared to the control group. On the other hand, the flow rate, pH, amylase and peroxidase activities and potassium concentration were lower in those with Down syndrome compared to those children in the control group.
