A Comparative Study of Salivary Flow Rate, pH, Buffer Capacity, Total Antioxidant Capacity, and Ferritin Levels in Children with Beta Thalassemia Major and Healthy Children

INTRODUCTION: Thalassemia is a genetically diverse group of disease which occurs due to an imbalance in the production of the alpha and beta chains with ensuring chronic hemolysis, ineffective erythropoiesis, and iron overload. AIM AND OBJECTIVE: The main aim of the study is to compare the salivary flow rate, pH, buffer capacity, total antioxidant capacity, and ferritin levels in children with beta thalassemia major and healthy children. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The present study includes 40 children consisting of 20 beta thalassemia major and 20 healthy children. Unstimulated saliva was collected by the spitting method. The salivary flow rate, pH, buffer capacity, total antioxidant capacity, and ferritin levels were evaluated. RESULTS: Salivary ferritin levels were found to be higher in children with beta thalassemia major. CONCLUSION: Iron overload is also known as hemochromatosis which is one of the complications of thalassemia. HOW TO CITE THIS ARTICLE: Rao GV, Preethi V, Daneswari V, et al. A Comparative Study of Salivary Flow Rate, pH, Buffer Capacity, Total Antioxidant Capacity, and Ferritin Levels in Children with Beta Thalassemia Major and Healthy Children. Int J Clin Pediatr Dent 2021;14(3):342-348.