Background. The biochemical parameters in gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) are affected by some systemic diseases and poor oral hygiene.
Objectives. The aim of this study was to evaluate the total amounts of Interleukin-1 beta (IL-1 beta) and vascular endothelial growth factor ( VEGF) in GCF in children with epilepsy.
Material and methods. Eighty children with epilepsy in a seizure-free period ( the test group) and 80 healthy children ( the control group) were evaluated. The children with epilepsy were taking valproic acid (VPA), carbamazepine, phenobarbital, and the combinations of these drugs. Gingival index (GI), plaque index (PI), probing depth (PD) and clinical attachment level (CAL) were measured. GCF was collected and its volume was measured. The total amounts of IL-1 beta and VEGF in the GCF were analyzed in the Biochemistry Laboratory at Ataturk University.
Results. The biochemical (IL-1 beta and VEGF) and clinical parameters (GI, PI, PD and GCF volume) were significantly higher in children with epilepsy compared to healthy children (p < 0.0001). When the epilepsy patients were divided into groups according to the drug used in this study, there were no significant differences in the GCF levels of IL-1 beta and VEGF among the drug groups. Also, a significant gingival enlargement in the patient population was not recorded.
Conclusions. According to these results, it may be suggested that patients need optimal oral care in epilepsy.
C1 [Duruk, Gulsum] Inonu Univ, Dept Pediat Dent, Fac Dent, Malatya, Turkey.
[Gurbuz, Taskin] Ataturk Univ, Dept Pediat Dent, Fac Dent, Erzurum, Turkey.
[Laloglu, Esra] Ataturk Univ, Dept Biochem, Fac Med, Erzurum, Turkey.
[Tan, Huseyin] Ataturk Univ, Dept Pediat Neurol, Fac Med, Erzurum, Turkey.