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Association between periodontitis and low birth weight: a case-control study.
Luiz Flávio Martins Moliterno1, Bruno Monteiro, Carlos Marcelo da Silva Figueredo
1Department of Pedodontics, Rio de Janeiro State University, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Journal of Clinical Periodontology
|July 7, 2005
Summary
Mothers with periodontitis had a significantly higher risk of having low-birth-weight (LBW) babies. This finding suggests periodontitis is a risk indicator for LBW, similar to other known obstetric risks.
Area of Science:
- Periodontology
- Obstetrics
- Public Health
Background:
- Periodontal disease is a common oral infection.
- Low birth weight (LBW) is a significant global health concern.
- Potential links between maternal oral health and pregnancy outcomes are increasingly investigated.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between periodontitis and the occurrence of low-birth-weight babies.
- To identify periodontitis as a potential risk factor for LBW.
Main Methods:
- A case-control study involving 151 mothers.
- Case group: 76 mothers with LBW babies (<2500g, GA <37 weeks).
- Control group: 75 mothers with normal birth weight babies (>2500g, GA >37 weeks).
- Periodontal examination included probing pocket depth (PPD) and clinical attachment loss (CAL).
Main Results:
- Mothers with periodontitis showed a significantly higher median number of affected sites (8 vs. 4).
- Periodontitis was a significant risk factor for LBW (odds ratio [OR]=3.48).
- Other significant risk factors included arterial hypertension, hemorrhage during pregnancy, and genitourinary infection.
Conclusions:
- Periodontitis is identified as a risk indicator for LBW in this study population.
- Findings suggest periodontitis should be considered alongside other established risk factors by obstetricians.
- Further research may elucidate the mechanisms linking periodontitis and adverse pregnancy outcomes.