Related Experiment Videos

[Periodontal disease in pregnancy and low birth weight]

P M Louro1, H H Fiori, P L Filho

  • 1Universidade de São Paulo (USP), São Paulo, Brazil.

Jornal De Pediatria
|December 4, 2003
PubMed

Insights

This study found a significant association between periodontal disease during pregnancy and low birth weight in newborns. Pregnant individuals with periodontal disease, indicated by the severity index (SI), were more likely to have low-birth-weight infants.

Area of Science:

  • Obstetrics and Gynecology
  • Periodontology
  • Neonatal Health

Background:

  • Periodontal disease in pregnant individuals has been linked to adverse birth outcomes.
  • Low birth weight remains a significant concern in neonatal health, necessitating identification of modifiable risk factors.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between periodontal disease during pregnancy and the birth weight of newborns.
  • To determine if periodontal disease is a risk factor for low birth weight.

Main Methods:

  • A case-control study comparing mothers of low-birth-weight infants (Group 1) with mothers of normal-birth-weight infants (Group 2).
  • Periodontal examination using a probe to measure attachment loss, calculating the extension index (EI) and severity index (SI).
  • Statistical analysis to compare periodontal disease indicators between groups, adjusting for potential confounding factors.

Main Results:

  • Mothers of low-birth-weight infants exhibited significantly higher average EI (p=0.033) and SI (p=0.006) compared to the control group.
  • The severity index (SI) showed a strong initial association with low birth weight (OR=18.3).
  • After adjusting for risk factors, the association between SI and low birth weight remained notable, though not statistically significant (OR=7.2; P=0.176).

Conclusions:

  • Multivariate analysis indicated a marked association between periodontal disease, measured by the severity index (SI), and low birth weight.
  • Periodontal disease during pregnancy may be a contributing risk factor for low birth weight.
  • Further research is warranted to elucidate the causal mechanisms and clinical implications.

Related Concept Videos

Development of the Oral Microbiota01:28

Development of the Oral Microbiota

The establishment of the oral microbiome begins before birth, challenging the long-held belief that the fetal oral cavity is sterile. The presence of oral microbes such as Streptococcus and Fusobacterium in amniotic fluid suggests that microbial exposure may occur in utero, potentially through translocation from the maternal oral or gastrointestinal tract. This early colonization primes the neonatal immune system and sets the stage for subsequent microbial succession. Maternal health,...
Pathophysiology of Diabetes01:20

Pathophysiology of Diabetes

Diabetes mellitus is a chronic metabolic disorder characterized by hyperglycemia. The four categories of diabetes are type 1 diabetes, type 2 diabetes, other specific types of diabetes, and gestational diabetes.
Type 1 diabetes is characterized by autoimmune-mediated destruction of pancreatic β cells, with environmental factors potentially triggering this process in genetically susceptible individuals. Despite many not having a family history, certain genes increase susceptibility, suggesting a...
The Oral Microbiota01:27

The Oral Microbiota

The oral microbiome includes a complex ecosystem comprising over 700 microbial species, identified through genomic sequencing and culture-based analyses to date. This community includes a core microbiome, found universally among individuals, and a variable component influenced by environmental factors such as diet, lifestyle, and host genetics. Site-specific conditions, including oxygen gradients, pH levels, and nutrient availability, determine the spatial distribution of these microorganisms...
Diabetes Mellitus: Type 2 and Gestational01:22

Diabetes Mellitus: Type 2 and Gestational

Type 2 diabetes, characterized by insulin resistance, arises when the insulin receptors on cells lose responsiveness to insulin, diminishing the cell's capacity to take up glucose, resulting in elevated blood glucose levels. To receive a diagnosis of Type 2 diabetes, a series of blood glucose tests are necessary to assess whether the blood glucose falls within normal parameters. If the result is out of the normal range, a patient may be diagnosed as prediabetic or diabetic, depending on the...
Teeth01:15

Teeth

The formation of teeth, also known as odontogenesis, is a complex process that begins in utero, around the sixth week of embryonic development. There are three stages to this process: the bud stage, the cap stage, and the bell stage.
In the bud stage, the tooth germ (an aggregation of cells) starts to form in the developing jawbone. During the cap stage, the tooth germ differentiates into enamel organ, dental papilla, and dental sac, which will later develop into the tooth's enamel, dentin and...
Teratogenicity01:07

Teratogenicity

The ability of a drug to produce structural deformations and functional abnormalities in the developing embryo or the fetus is called teratogenicity, and the drug producing this effect is known as a teratogen. Teratogenic effects include stillbirth, miscarriage, intrauterine growth restriction, and neurocognitive delay. A teratogen may affect the embryo at different stages of development, which is important in determining the type and extent of the damage. During blastocyst formation, the early...