Stimulated whole saliva components in children with Down syndrome.

The authors report on the components of stimulated whole saliva from children with Down syndrome--including pH, flow rate, sialic acid and protein concentrations, and amylase and peroxidase activity. Saliva samples were collected from 35 children aged 6-10 years. Of the participants, 17 had Down syndrome and 18 did not. To stimulate saliva production, the children chewed a piece of parafilm for 10 minutes before the sample was collected. Soon after collecting the saliva sample, the authors measured pH using a portable pH-meter. Sialic acid levels were determined with a thiobarbituric acid assay. Protein content was determined with Folin's phenol reagent. Amylase was assayed and the authors measured the maltose produced by the breakdown of starch and peroxidase using orthodianisidine. No statistically significant difference was observed in levels of sialic acid (free and total) between the two groups. Protein concentration was about 36% higher in the group with Down syndrome. However, the salivary flow rate, pH, and amylase and peroxidase activities were lower among the children with Down syndrome.