[Reactivity of periodontal vessels in children with insulin-dependent diabetes].

The morphological changes of capillaries and small vessels in diabetes are preceded by functional disturbances. The purpose of the work was assessment of the reactivity of parodontal vessels in children with insulin-dependent diabetes. The study was done in 50 children with this diabetes aged 7 to 17 years, and 45 healthy controls (without parodontal changes). The photoplethysmographic method was used. Nitroglycerine test of Böhme was carried out estimating the pattern of the so called inclination time before and after sublingual nitroglycerine administration. The capillaries of the diabetic children reacted more strongly to nitroglycerin than those of controls. It is concluded that children with diabetes of recent onset have functional vascular disturbances in the parodontium. Photoplethysmography is a simple non-invasive method useful in the assessment of early vascular disturbances in the parodontium of children.