Periodontal destruction in Down's syndrome and in juvenile periodontitis. How close a similarity?

Advanced destruction of the periodontium, with similarities in alveolar distribution, age range, and diminished host responses of varying severity, may be seen in Down's syndrome and in juvenile periodontitis. This review compares and contrasts periodontal destruction and immunologic mechanisms in the two conditions. Both are characterized by raised serum immunoglobulins, selective cell-mediated immunodeficiencies, and defective neutrophil polymorphonuclear leukocyte chemotaxis. There is a possibility of defective monocyte chemotaxis in both conditions, although this is less clear in juvenile periodontitis. By contrast, antigen-induced DNA synthesis is enhanced in Down's syndrome, but reduced in juvenile periodontitis.