Oral fluid immunological characteristics in children with congenital cleft palate and a postoperative defect

Relevance. The lack of anatomical differentiation between the oral cavity and the nasal cavity in children with congenital cleft palate leads to the deterioration of saliva characteristics affecting dental and periodontal disease progression. The oral fluid immunological profile may provide information about the nature of the inflammatory processes and changes in the reaction to the ongoing therapy.

Material and methods. The article presents the results of the oral fluid enzyme immunoassay in 109 children aged 6-12 years with congenital cleft palate and a postoperative defect and in 50 practically healthy children of the same age. The study determined the levels of pro-inflammatory (IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α) and anti-inflammatory (IL-4, IL-10) cytokines and secretory immunoglobulin sIgA in the oral fluid by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

Results. The study of children aged 6-12 years with congenital cleft palate and a postoperative defect revealed hyperstimulation of oral fluid pro-inflammatory (IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α) and anti-inflammatory (IL-4, IL-10) cytokines and a decrease in secretory immunoglobulin sIgA mean level.

Conclusion. The oral fluid immunological complexes imbalance in children with congenital cleft palate and a postoperative residual defect is a progressive factor for the development and chronicity of oral inflammatory diseases.

The received data evidence the local inflammatory process and a decrease in the oral fluid local protective factors, which one must consider to develop methods for improving the condition of organs and tissues of the oral cavity in children with congenital cleft palate during preparation for surgery to eliminate the residual defect.