Salivary Flow in Pediatric Cancer Patients Compared to Healthy Children and Adolescents

Objective: To verify differences between salivary flow in pediatric cancer patients before starting antineoplastic treatment and in healthy pediatric patients.  Material and Methods: This is an observational, cross-sectional, paired study with sample of 120 children and adolescents (3-18 years). Thirty pediatric cancer patients were selected for convenience at “Napoleao Laureano” Hospital (G1). Another group was composed of 90 individuals attended at the School of Dentistry Clinics of the Federal University of Paraiba, matched by age (G2). Data collection was performed in two steps for both groups. Information regarding pediatric cancer patients was obtained by interview with parents / guardians and searching medical records, while in the other group by interview with parents / guardians. Saliva collection was performed using standard method in both groups: unstimulated salivary flow rate (USFR) being the mean volume expelled in 1 minute. Data were analyzed by the Shapiro-Wilk, Kolmogorov-Smirnov and Mann-Whitney tests ( α = 5%).  Results: Mean USFR for G1 and G2 was 0.52 mL / min and 0.66 mL / min, respectively (p>0.05) and, in both groups, significant difference was observed (p <0.05) between the mean USFR values of its subgroups, and values of adolescents being higher than those of children.  Conclusion: There is no difference in unstimulated salivary flow of pediatric cancer patients before starting antineoplastic treatment compared with healthy pediatric patients.