Caries and Count: Exploring Salivary Biomarkers in Children With Down Syndrome - A Prospective Study

Objectives The objective of the study is to evaluate the salivary pH, buffer capacity, viscosity, and malondialdehyde (MDA) in children with Down syndrome and dental caries, pre- and post-caries control. Material and Methods The study included 15 children with Down syndrome, aged between 6 and 14 years, who reported to the Department of Paediatric and Preventive Dentistry. To determine the baseline values for assessing salivary MDA, pH, viscosity, and buffering capacity, saliva samples were obtained. The concentration of MDA was determined using the trichloroacetic acid-thiobarbituric acid-hydrochloric acid reagent, where the intensity of the resulting pink colour was measured spectrophotometrically and found to be directly proportional to the MDA content in the samples. The saliva check buffer kit was used to assess salivary pH and buffering capacity, while the Ostwald viscometer was used to test salivary viscosity. Two weeks later, the patients were recalled, oral health education was provided, and saliva samples were collected for the assessment. The findings were then analysed statistically Results Among children with Down syndrome, post-treatment evaluation revealed a statistically significant difference in salivary MDA levels, viscosity, and buffering capacity between the 2-week intervals (p < 0.01) Conclusion After treatment, children with Down syndrome showed a significant increase in their buffering capacity as well as a significant decrease in the levels of salivary MDA and viscosity. Assessing these biomarkers can be a useful addition to determining the children’s caries risk.