Oral Hygiene in Children with Epilepsy: Effect of Interleukin-1β and VEGFLevels in Gingival Crevicular Fluid

Aim: Biochemical parameters in gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) are affected by some systemic diseases and poor oral hygiene. The aim of this study was to evaluate the total amounts of Interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in GCF in children with epilepsy. Material and methods: 80 children with epilepsy in free seizure period (Test group) and 80 healthy children (Control group) were evaluated. Gingival index (GI), plaque index (PI), probing depth (PD), clinical attachment level (CAL) was measured. GCF was collected and its volume was measured. The total amounts of IL-1β and VEGF in GCF were analyzed in Biochemistry Laboratory. Results: The biochemical (IL-1β and VEGF) and clinic parameters (GI, PI, PD and GCF volume) were significantly higher in the children with epilepsy compared with 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 GCF levels of IL-1β and VEGF among the drug groups. Conclusion: According to these results it may be suggested that patients need an optimal oral care in epilepsy.