Effect of Probiotics on Salivary Flow Rate and pH in Children with Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia (ALL) During Chemotherapy

Background: This study was performed to evaluate the effects of probiotics on salivary flow rate and pH in children with Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia (ALL) during chemotherapy.   Methods: A randomized clinical trial was conducted on 11 children with ALL on induction and consolidation phases of chemotherapy. At the beginning, clinical examination of the oral mucosa and dental hygiene and interview regarding the presence of dry mouth were performed. Saliva samples were collected in the morning between 09.00-12.00 a.m., before and after 7 and 14 days gargling with probiotics. Each participant was instructed to gargle probiotics for 60 seconds, morning and night, for 14 days. Descriptive analysis was performed to compare salivary flow rate and salivary pH before and after 7 to 14 days gargling, using Paired t-test because the data is normally distributed (P<0.05). Results: 7 (63.6%) out of 11 patients complained of a dry mouth sensation. Before gargling probiotics, salivary flow rate and salivary pH were 0.52 and 6.8, respectively. After 14 days of gargling with probiotics, there was a significant increase in salivary flow rate to 0.64 (P<0.05), while salivary pH changed unsignificantly to 6.99 (P>0.05). Conclusion: Gargling with probiotics in children with ALL during induction and consolidation chemotherapy phase, after 14 days showed a significant increase in salivary flow rate but unsignificant change in salivary pH.