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Published on: December 18, 2013
Saliva Changes in Pediatric Patients with Eating Disorders
Tatjana Lesar1, Danica Vidović Juras2, Martina Tomić3
1Helena Center for Pediatric Medicine, Zagreb, Croatia.
Pediatric patients with eating disorders (ED) show differences in saliva volume between anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa, and altered salivary inorganic phosphate levels. Nutritional status impacts salivation in these patients.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Endocrinology
- Gastroenterology
- Nutritional Science
Background:
- Eating disorders (ED) are complex conditions affecting physical and mental health in children and adolescents.
- Salivary function and composition can be influenced by nutritional status and various medical conditions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare salivary volume, total amylase, and electrolyte concentrations in pediatric patients with ED versus controls.
- To investigate the relationship between salivary changes and nutritional status in pediatric ED.
Main Methods:
- 101 participants (50 with ED, 51 controls, aged 14.34 ±1.99 years) were studied.
- Salivary parameters and anthropometric measurements were collected.
- Statistical analyses included Mann-Whitney, Kruskal-Wallis, chi-square, and Spearman rank correlation tests.
Main Results:
- No significant differences in overall salivary volume were found between ED patients and controls.
- Significant differences in saliva secretion volume at 5 and 15 minutes were observed between anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa subgroups.
- Pediatric ED patients exhibited higher salivary inorganic phosphate concentrations, while total amylase and other electrolytes showed no significant differences.
- Anthropometric parameters correlated positively with saliva volume, particularly at 15 minutes.
Conclusions:
- Nutritional status significantly influences salivation in pediatric patients with eating disorders.
- Distinct differences in saliva volume exist among pediatric ED subgroups.
- Alterations in salivary electrolyte concentrations, specifically inorganic phosphates, are possible in pediatric ED.
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