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Stunting and its Effects on Salivary Biomarkers and Oral Health: A Cross-sectional Analysis of Flow Rate, pH, and Buffering Capacity
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Reno Wiska Wulandari2
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Hirowati Ali3
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Defia Roza4
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Ignatius Setiawan5
Dinda Ratna Juwita3
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Gian Ernesto3
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Bobby 6
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Muhammad Dzaky Sayyid Effendi6
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Thifla Rafifa Wirza6
Fathan Alif Abdani6 , *
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Authors Info & Affiliations
Abstract
Aim
This study investigates the effects of stunting on salivary characteristics in children aged 6-12 years, focusing on salivary flow rate, pH, viscosity, and buffering capacity to assess oral health vulnerabilities linked to stunting.
Methods
A cross-sectional study was conducted with 72 elementary students in Padang, Indonesia, equally divided into stunted and normal-growth groups. Saliva samples were collected and analyzed for flow rate, pH, viscosity, and buffering capacity. Data were processed using SPSS version 27.
Results
Stunted children showed significant alterations in salivary parameters, including a reduced salivary flow rate (0.02 mL/min vs. 0.63 mL/min; p = 0.001) and lower pH (5.87 vs. 7.48; p = 0.001), indicating an acidic oral environment. Additionally, salivary viscosity was higher (1.88 cP vs. 1.07 cP; p = 0.001), and buffering capacity was lower (3.63 vs. 5.92; p = 0.001) in the stunted group, suggesting impaired salivary function.
Conclusion
The findings highlight that stunted children are at a greater risk of oral diseases due to compromised salivary function. Interventions using CPP-ACP, probiotics, xylitol, and stimulants like pineapple juice could help improve salivary health, underscoring the need for targeted oral health strategies in this vulnerable population.
