Amylase and peroxidase activities and sialic acid concentration in saliva of adolescents with cerebral palsy

Objective: To evaluate the flow rate, amylase and peroxidase activities, and total protein and sialic acid concentrations in saliva of adolescents with cerebral palsy. Method and Materials: The saliva of 24 adolescents with cerebral palsy was compared with that of 18 adolescents without cerebral palsy, all aged around 12 years, 2 months. The whole saliva was collected under slight suction and frozen at -80 degrees C. Flow rate, amylase and peroxidase activities, and total protein and sialic acid concentrations were analyzed by standard methods. Results: The flow rate was low in the cerebral palsy group. The cerebral palsy group demonstrated low amylase and peroxidase activities. Boys and girls from the cerebral palsy group demonstrated higher total protein concentration than the boys and girls from the control group. Sialic acid, free and total, concentration was higher in the cerebral palsy group than in the control group. Conclusion: The results suggest that adolescents with cerebral palsy present alterations in the salivary parameters studied that can increase the risk of oral disease in this population.