Leukocyte esterase and protein levels in saliva, as indicators of gingival and periodontal diseases in children.

PURPOSE This study was to determine if dip stick assays of children's saliva for leukocyte esterase or protein (Serim Research Corporation, Elkhart, Ind) reflect the presence or severity of gingival or periodontal diseases in children. METHODS The study included 13 children with periodontitis [study group] and a control group of 17 children without periodontitis. The saliva leukocyte esterase and protein values (scales from 1 to 4) were tested with dip stick analyses. The gingival (GI) and plaque indices (PI) presence and number of sites with periodontitis, demographic data, systemic condition, caries prevalence, and the presence of dental restorations were recorded and their relationship to leukocyte esterase or protein values were analyzed. RESULTS Most children had a protein value of 2 or 3 or a leukocyte esterase value of > or = 3. Significant differences in the distribution of protein values by the presence/absence of periodontitis (chi-square, P<0.001), or the number of sites with periodontitis by protein value (chi-square, P=.005; ANOVA, P=.03) were evident; No. 4 protein values were found only in children with periodontitis, and No. 2 and No. 3 protein values were mostly found in children without it. CONCLUSIONS Dip stick protein analysis of saliva of children has the potential to differentiate children with periodontitis or with fewer periodontal lesions.