Research Article
Ranadheer E, Venugopal Reddy N
Abstract
A positive correlation between salivary IgA antibody levels to Streptococcus mutans and caries resistance in adults has been reported in literature. Such a correlation is also observed in Down’s syndrome population but lacks sufficient data support. The present study was conducted to assess the relationship of salivary IgA with dental caries and oral hygiene status in Down’s syndrome (DS) children compared to control group of normal subjects (NS) of school children of Chidambaram. The study population consisted of 80 subjects aged 8-14 years who were divided into four groups: Group 1 – DS subjects with DMFS= 0, Group 2 - NS with DMFS=0, Group 3 - DS subjects with DMFS= 3 and above and Group 4- NS with DMFS= 3 and above.Clinical examination was done and the study population was examined for the assessment of dental caries status (WHO 1987) and oral hygiene status (OHI -S Index). Unstimulated total saliva samples were collected and s-IgA concentration was evaluated by ELISA. Scheffe test (Intergroup comparison) and Pearson test (correlation analysis) were used to analyze the data. In DS subjects, a negative correlation of s-IgA with DMFS and OHI-S scores was found; the s-IgA levels were significantly higher, prevalence of dental caries was very low and oral hygiene status was not properly maintained when compared to the normal subjects. In the control group, a positive correlation of s-IgA with DMFS and OHI-S scores was found.