Abstract
AIM: To assess the level of total antioxidant capacity (TAC) in the unstimulated saliva of autism children and normal children. METHODS: A total of 60 children participated in the study (autism children-30; normal children-30) in the age-group of 7-14 years, at a Special Needs Children's Home in Salem district. Both groups were further subdivided into subgroups of 15 children each (caries-free and caries-active). All children were given instructions regarding saliva sample collection, and unstimulated saliva samples were collected in sterile cryovials and transported to the laboratory at 4°C, where the TAC of saliva was evaluated using the spectrophotometric assay. RESULTS: TAC of autism children was comparable to that of normal children due to personal care and improved diet. TAC was increased in caries-active children when compared to caries-free children in both groups. When comparing the mean values of TAC in caries-active and caries-free children of both groups, it was not statistically significant. So, from the above results, it can be assumed that the diet, age, and caries activity have a definitive influence on the TAC level of saliva. CONCLUSION: Personal hygiene, diet, age, and caries activity have a definitive influence on the level of TAC in saliva.