Buffer capacity, pH, and flow rate in saliva of children aged 2-60 months with Down syndrome.

This study measured the flow rate, pH, and buffer capacity of saliva from children with Down syndrome aged 2-60 months. We compared 25 children with Down syndrome with 21 children without Down syndrome. The whole saliva was collected under slight suction and the pH and the buffer capacity were determined using a digital pHmeter. The buffer capacity was measured by titration with 0.01 N HCl. The Down syndrome group demonstrated higher buffer capacity than the control group in the pH ranges of 6.9-6.0, 5.9-5.0, and 4.9-4.0. The flow rate was low in the Down syndrome group. Boys from the Down syndrome group demonstrated higher buffer capacity in the pH ranges 6.9-6.0, 5.9-5.0, and 4.9-4.0 than controls, while girls from the Down syndrome group showed no difference compared with controls. Girls with Down syndrome demonstrated significant difference only in the range of pHi-pH 7.0. Conclusion. These data suggest that the Down syndrome persons present a better buffer capacity, supporting the results observed in several studies which found the low dental caries in persons with Down syndrome.