Assessment of Salivary Total Antioxidant Levels and Oral Health Status in Children with Cerebral Palsy

Oxidative stress plays a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of neurological disorders. Saliva may constitute a first line of defence, against five radical-modified oxidative stress. The objective of the present study was to evaluate Total Antioxidant Capacity(TAC), levels of Nitric Oxide (NO), and Sialic Acid (SA) in saliva of cerebral palsied children. Study design: Thirty four non-institutionalized children in the age group of 7-12 years having cerebral palsy formed the study group. The control group consisted of thirty three normal, healthy children. The W.H.O. criteria was used for diagnosis and recording of dental caries. Oral hygiene status was assessed using the Simplified Oral Hygiene Index OHI-S. Estimation of Total Antioxidant Capacity, levels of Nitric Oxide and Sialic Acid in saliva was done. Data obtained was subjected to statistical analysis. Results: Children with CP had higher deft scores than that of normal children. Oral hygiene of children with CP was significantly poorer than that of normal children. Total Antioxidant Capacity of saliva was significantly higher in normal children than cerebral palsied children. Levels of Sialic Acid in saliva were significantly higher in cerebral palsy children. Conclusions: In children with CP, TAC of saliva showed an inverse relation with dental caries.