Evaluation of Salivary Biomarker Levels in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder Having Dental Caries

Introduction: Children with special health care exhibit behavioral and physical conditions that predispose them to oxidative stress and this plays a vital role in etiopathogenesis of autistic spectrum disorder (ASD), which promotes neuronal damage in genetically predisposed individuals. Any inflammatory process initiates lipid peroxidation reaction that leads to the production of malondialdehyde (MDA), which in turn alters the immunological mediators such as salivary peroxidase system. Thus, leading to initiation and progression of bacterial infections such as dental caries. Materials and Methods: Fifteen children with ASD between the age groups of 6 and 14 years, who reported to the Nitte Special Child Care Centre (N-SPECC), Department of Pediatric and Preventive Dentistry, were selected for the study. Baseline salivary samples were collected to evaluate the salivary MDA, pH, viscosity, and buffering capacity. The patients were recalled after a period of 2 months where oral health education and saliva samples were collected and evaluated for the above parameters post-treatment and the data were subjected to statistical analysis using the Shapiro-Wilk test and Wilcoxon signed-rank test. Results: There was a statistically significant difference seen for the values between the time intervals (2 months) (P < 0.01) for salivary MDA, pH, viscosity, and buffering capacity levels in children with ASD with dental caries post-treatment. Conclusion: The levels of salivary MDA, pH, and viscosity decreased significantly and furthermore, the levels of buffering capacity increased significantly post-treatment in children with ASD. Evaluation of these biomarkers can be good adjuncts in caries risk assessment in children with ASD.