The level of immunoglobulin A in saliva depending on the presence and severity of early childhood caries

Relevance . Immune defense plays a significant role in early childhood caries (ECC) development in children. The aim of the research was to study the level of secretory immunoglobulin A (SIgA) in the saliva of the children depending on the presence and severity of early childhood caries. Materials and methods . 225 children participated in the study: 60 1-2-year-olds (the 1 st group) and 165 3-5-year-olds (the 2 nd group). In the 1 st group 2 subgroups (30 children each) were formed: caries free (CF-1) and with severe ECC (S-ECC-1). In the 2 nd group 3 subgroups (55 children each) were formed: caries free (CF-2), with ECC (ECC-2) and severe ECC (S-ECC-2). SIgA in the saliva (g/l) was measured by «IgA SALIVA ELISA» kit. The program Statistica 6 was used for statistical analysis. Results . SIgA levels in the saliva were 37.40 ± 1.77 and 10.00 ± 0.67 in the subgroups CF-1 and S-ECC-1 (p < 0.001), 36.77 ± 2.58, 20.67 ± 1.08 and 9.83 ± 0.38 in the subgroups CF-2, ECC-2 и S-ECC-2 respectively (p < 0.001). In the first and second groups significant strong inverse Pierson correlation (r = -0.7-0.8) was revealed between SIgA levels in the saliva and S-ECC presence in the children. Conclusions . The level of SIgA in the saliva reflects children's susceptibility to caries. Significant strong inverse correlation was revealed between SIgA in the saliva and severe ECC in the children.