Flow Rate and Salivary Buffer Capacity Based on Nutritional Status of Toddlers 3-5 Years Old in Silo II Public Health Center Area, Jember Regency Indonesia (A Cross-Sectional Study)

Introduction: Nutrient deficits affect the development and function of the salivary glands, resulting in a decrease in flow rate and salivary buffering capacity. Salivary research has been associated with the epidemiology of infectious diseases. The objective of this study was to examine the flow rate and salivary buffer capacity of toddlers based on their nutritional condition, including normal, underweight, and stunted toddlers. Method: Analytical observational research using a cross-sectional design among children aged 3 to 5 years in the Silo II Public Health Center area (1027 toddlers), with purposive sampling of 285 (95 normal toddlers, 95 stunting toddlers, and 95 underweight toddlers). The research variables were flow rate, salivary buffer capacity, and nutritional status of toddlers. The measuring instruments used were measuring cups, pH meters, and anthropometric indices (Z-Szore) BB/U and TB/U. The research data were analyzed with descriptive statistical tests and continued with the Kruskal Wallis and Mann-Whitney tests. Result: The results of Kruskal Wallis test are the average flow rate for normal toddlers is 0.3905, underweight toddlers is 0.2187, and stunted toddlers is 0.1958. The average buffer capacity of normal toddlers is 5.0542, underweight is 2.4640, and stunting is 2.4395. The result of Mann-Whitney tests normal toddlers with underweight have a difference in flow rate and salivary buffer capacity(p-value = 0.000), normal toddlers with stunting have a difference in flow rate and salivary buffer capacity (p-value = 0.000), but underweight toddlers with stunting have no difference (p-value 0.199 and 0.247). Conclusion: There are differences in the flow rate and salivary buffer capacity of normal toddlers with underweight. There are differences in the flow rate and salivary buffer capacity of normal toddlers with stunting. There is no difference in flow rate and salivary buffer capacity of underweight toddlers with stunting. Malaysian Journal of Medicine and Health Sciences.