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Periodontal disease as a risk factor for adverse pregnancy outcomes. A systematic review

Frank A Scannapieco1, Renee B Bush, Susanna Paju

  • 1Department of Oral Biology, School of Dental Medicine, University at Buffalo, State University of New York, Buffalo, New York, USA. fas1@buffalo.edu

Annals of Periodontology
|February 20, 2004
PubMed

Insights

Periodontal disease may increase the risk of preterm birth and low birth weight (PT/LBW). Further research is needed, but early findings suggest periodontal treatment may improve pregnancy outcomes.

Area of Science:

  • Obstetrics and Gynecology
  • Periodontology
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Infections, including periodontal disease, are increasingly linked to adverse pregnancy outcomes like prematurity and low birth weight.
  • Bacterial vaginosis is a known risk factor for PT/LBW, but the role of periodontal disease requires further investigation.
  • This systematic review explores the potential association between periodontal disease and PT/LBW.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine if preventing or controlling periodontal disease impacts adverse pregnancy outcomes.
  • To assess the relationship between periodontal disease and PT/LBW.

Main Methods:

  • Searched MEDLINE, pre-MEDLINE, MEDLINE Daily Update, and Cochrane Oral Controlled Trials Register through October 2002.
  • Included RCTs, case-control, and cohort studies of mothers with or without periodontal disease.
  • Excluded studies not involving humans; meta-analysis was not feasible due to heterogeneity.

Main Results:

  • 12 studies met inclusion criteria; findings were heterogeneous.
  • Some studies suggested periodontal disease is a risk factor for PT/LBW, but few assessed intervention impacts.
  • Several epidemiologic studies did not support this association.

Conclusions:

  • Periodontal disease may be a risk factor for PT/LBW.
  • More longitudinal, epidemiologic, and interventional studies are necessary to confirm causality.
  • Preliminary evidence indicates periodontal intervention might reduce adverse pregnancy outcomes.
Abstract

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