Comparison of electrolyte concentrations in whole saliva of individuals with and without cerebral palsy.
OBJECTIVE
To analyze sodium, potassium, calcium, phosphorus, and magnesium concentrations in whole saliva of adolescents with cerebral palsy (CP) and compare them with those of normal individuals.


METHODS
Thirty-six adolescents with CP aged 12.0 +/- 1.8 years were compared with 36 healthy age-matched individuals. Saliva was collected under slight suction. Electrolyte concentrations were determined by inductively coupled argon plasma with atomic emission spectrometry.


RESULTS
Significant differences were observed with matched and unmatched flow rates. Sodium concentrations were significantly decreased, whereas potassium levels were significantly increased in the CP group. No statistically significant differences were observed regarding phosphorus, magnesium, and calcium concentrations between adolescents with CP and controls.


CONCLUSIONS
Our results suggest that there is an alteration in the sodium and potassium concentration in whole saliva of individuals with CP.
Siqueira
Walter Luiz
WL
Oral Biology Research Center, Faculty of Dentistry, University of São Paulo, Brazil. siqueira@bu.edu
Rodrigues Santos
Maria Teresa Botti
MT
De Oliveira
Elisabeth
E
Nicolau
José
J
D000293:Adolescent; D002118:Calcium / Q000032:analysis; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002547:Cerebral Palsy / Q000378:metabolism*; D002648:Child; D004573:Electrolytes / Q000032:analysis*; D006801:Humans; D008274:Magnesium / Q000032:analysis; D010758:Phosphorus / Q000032:analysis; D011188:Potassium / Q000032:analysis; D012463:Saliva / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism*; D012636:Secretory Rate; D012964:Sodium / Q000032:analysis; D013054:Spectrophotometry, Atomic
D004573:Electrolytes; D010758:Phosphorus; D012964:Sodium; D008274:Magnesium; D011188:Potassium; D002118:Calcium