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Periodontal status and preterm low birth weight: a case control study
B Noack1, J Klingenberg, J Weigelt
1Department of Conservative Dentistry and Periodontology, Medical Faculty, University of Technology, Dresden, Germany.
Journal of Periodontal Research
|June 22, 2005
Summary
This study found no link between periodontal disease and preterm low birth weight in German pregnant women. Periodontitis was not a detectable risk factor for adverse pregnancy outcomes in this population.
Area of Science:
- Obstetrics and Gynecology
- Periodontology
- Public Health
Background:
- Previous research suggested a link between periodontal disease and preterm low birth weight.
- However, recent studies present conflicting evidence regarding periodontitis and pregnancy outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between periodontal health and preterm low birth weight in a German Caucasian population.
Main Methods:
- Examined 59 high-risk pregnant women and 42 controls.
- Assessed clinical periodontal status, identified subgingival pathogens via PCR, and analyzed interleukin-1 beta levels.
Main Results:
- No significant differences in periodontitis parameters were found between groups.
- Periodontitis-associated factors did not increase the risk for preterm contractions or low birth weight (OR 0.73; 95% CI: 0.13–4.19).
Conclusions:
- Periodontitis was not identified as a detectable risk factor for preterm low birth weight in this study population.