Vitamin E and A and periodontium in pregnant diabetics

The authors followed physiological levels of vitamin E and A in four-week intervals in the course of physiological pregnancy in 11 insulin dependent diabetics. The highest mean levels of both vitamins were found in the IIIrd trimester. Simultaneously, the periodontal condition and the standard of oral hygiene were evaluated by means of epidemiological indexes in two-week intervals. The most marked inflammatory changes of periodontium occurred in the 8th month and were followed by an improvement before delivery, though the standard of oral hygiene was unchanged. The possibility of the eventual contribution of both vitamins in the improvement of periodontal condition in the final stage of pregnancy seems evident.