Electrolyte concentrations in saliva of children aged 6-10 years with Down syndrome.
METHODS
In this study sodium, potassium, calcium, phosphorus, zinc, and magnesium ion concentration was analyzed in stimulated whole saliva in 22 children with Down syndrome aged 6 to 10 years. These children were compared with 21 healthy children of the same age. Stimulated saliva was collected by chewing a piece of parafilm for 10 minutes. The pH was measured with a portable pH meter after collection. Electrolyte concentrations were determined by inductively coupled argon plasma with atomic emission spectrometry.


RESULTS
No statistically significant differences were observed in phosphorus, zinc, magnesium, and calcium concentration between the children with Down syndrome and the control children. The sodium concentration showed about 66.8% higher value in the Down syndrome than in the control group. On the other hand the flow rate and potassium concentration were lower in the Down syndrome than in the control group.


CONCLUSIONS
Our results suggest that there is alteration in the metabolism of the duct and/or acinar cells of salivary glands of Down syndrome children.
Siqueira
Walter Luiz
WL
Oral Biology Research Center, Faculty of Dentistry, University of São Paulo, Ave. Prof. Lineu Prestes 2227, 05508-900 São Paulo, Brazil.
de Oliveira
Elisabeth
E
Mustacchi
Zan
Z
Nicolau
José
J
D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002648:Child; D004314:Down Syndrome / Q000378:metabolism*; D004573:Electrolytes / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D008297:Male; D012463:Saliva / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D012469:Salivary Glands / Q000378:metabolism; D012636:Secretory Rate; D013054:Spectrophotometry, Atomic
D004573:Electrolytes