Periodontal Conditions and Salivary Immunoglobulins in Individuals With Down Syndrome

Periodontal conditions and salivary levels of Immunoglobulins slgA, IgM, and IgG subclass distribution and albumin, quantified by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay, were determined in 20 patients with Down syndrome and 19 healthy controls. Gingival inflammation was more extensive (P < 0.05) among Down syndrome subjects compared to controls as well as the occurrence of periodontal pockets (< 4 mm) (P < 0.05). The immunoglobuhn levels of slgA, IgM, the sum of IgG subclasses, and the concentration of albumin did not differ significantly between the 2 groups. However, the proportion of IgGl expressed as percentage of the sum of total IgG was significantly higher (P < 0.01) in the Down syndrome group compared to controls. On the contrary, the proportion of IgG2, IgG3, and IgG4 subclasses in saliva did not differ between the 2 groups. The results indicate an altered distribution of IgG subclasses in saliva, with a higher proportion of IgGl in Down syndrome individuals compared to controls. J Periodontol 1998;69:1119–1123.