Flow rate and chemistry of parotid saliva related to dental caries and gingivitis in patients with thalassaemia major.

Twenty-one child patients with thalassaemic major (TM) and 83 healthy control children were examined for dental caries and gingivitis. Stimulated parotid gland secretions were collected from each child. Parotid saliva flow rate was measured and the saliva samples were tested for calcium, phosphorus, potassium, sodium, urea, lysozyme and immunoglobulin levels (IgA, IgG, IgM). The results showed that dental caries experience was significantly higher in the TM group. Parotid saliva flow rates in TM patients were not significantly different from those in the healthy controls. However, the median saliva concentrations of phosphorus and IgA were significantly lower in the patients than in the controls. The concentration of lysozyme was also lower in the TM group, but the difference was not statistically significant. The findings could provide an explanation for the higher dental caries experience and gingivitis observed in the TM group.