Relationship Between Interleukin Levels and Bacterial Dental Caries in Autistic Children in Baghdad Governorate

Abstract

Objective: To investigate the relationship between salivary interleukin levels and dental caries in autistic children in Baghdad, given the higher burden of caries in this population and emerging evidence of immune dysregulation in Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).

Study Design: A case-control study.
Place and Duration of Study: This study was conducted at the Department of Conservative Dentistry/ College of Dentistry/Ashur University, Baghdadad, Iraq between July and October 2025.

Methods: This case-control study enrolled 55 children with ASD and 55 neurotypical controls, aged 5-12 years. Dental caries experience was assessed using the dmft /DMFT indices. Salivary levels of interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, IL-10, and IL-17A were quantified using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), alongside bacterial culture analysis.

Results: Children with ASD had significantly higher mean dmft/DMFT scores (6.8 ± 3.5) than controls (3.2 ± 2.4). They exhibited a pro-inflammatory salivary profile characterized by elevated IL-1β and IL-6, and reduced IL-10 levels (p < 0.01). Strong positive correlations were observed between caries experience and IL-1β (r = 0.68) and IL-6 (r = 0.59). Regression analysis identified IL-1β and poor oral hygiene as significant predictors of dental caries.

Conclusion: Autistic children in Baghdad experience a greater dental caries burden associated with a proinflammatory salivary cytokine profile, indicating that immune dysregulation may be a significant biological
contributor to oral health disparities in this population.