Subject. Cerebral palsy (CP) is one of the most common neurological disorders in pediatrics, occurring in approximately 2–3 out of every 1,000 newborns. This condition remains a significant healthcare burden. Children with CP have impaired immune systems, which contributes to increased susceptibility to infections and exacerbates inflammatory processes. Analysis of immunological parameters of saliva allows for a better understanding of the mechanisms of inflammation and the characteristics of immune defense in the oral cavity. A comprehensive study of the composition and characteristics of oral fluid has important diagnostic and prognostic value in children with CP. Objectives. This study aimed to evaluate the main immunological and physicochemical characteristics of oral fluid in children diagnosed with cerebral palsy. Methodology. We examined the physicochemical and immunological indicators of oral fluid. The study included 108 children 9–18 years old. All respondents were divided into 2 groups: 1st - experimental group, diagnosed with cerebral palsy, consisting of 58 people; and the 2nd control, comprising 50 relatively healthy children. As part of the study, levels of secretory immunoglobulin A, lysozyme, salivation rate, kinematic viscosity and pH of mixed saliva were determined. Results. Children with infantile cerebral palsy are characterized by reduced levels of lysozyme and secretory immunoglobulin A in saliva, reflecting reduced local immunity in the oral cavity and increasing the risk of bacterial infections. At the same time, an increase in the kinematic viscosity of saliva is noted, which indicates a violation of its secretion and a change in composition, leading to a deterioration in the protective functions of saliva. Conclusion. The study demonstrated significant differences in immunological status and physical and chemical composition of oral fluid in children with cerebral palsy (CP) compared to healthy children. The identified deviations indicate the presence of a chronic inflammatory process, a decrease in local defense mechanisms and an increase in the likelihood of infectious diseases.
Chuykin et al. (Sun,) studied this question.