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Is there an association between periodontal disease, prematurity and low birth weight? A population-based study

Abelardo Nunes Lunardelli1, Marco Aurélio Peres

  • 1Departamento de Saúde Pública, Centro de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, Brazil.

Journal of Clinical Periodontology
|August 18, 2005
PubMed

Insights

This study found no link between maternal periodontal disease and low birth weight. While prematurity showed a temporary association with periodontal pockets, this connection was ultimately explained by other maternal health factors.

Area of Science:

  • Obstetrics and Gynecology
  • Periodontology
  • Public Health

Background:

  • The connection between pregnancy periodontal disease and adverse birth outcomes like low birth weight and prematurity remains unclear.
  • Existing research presents conflicting findings, necessitating further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between periodontal disease in pregnant women and the incidence of low birth weight or preterm birth.
  • To clarify the relationship between maternal periodontal health and infant birth outcomes.

Main Methods:

  • A population-based, cross-sectional study involving 449 parturients in Southern Brazil.
  • Data collected via interviews, clinical examinations (identifying periodontal pockets), questionnaires, and medical records.
  • Statistical analysis included simple and multiple regression to assess associations.

Main Results:

  • No statistically significant association was observed between periodontal disease and low birth weight.
  • An initial association between periodontal pockets and prematurity was identified (OR=2.6).
  • This association with prematurity disappeared after adjusting for maternal health variables, indicating confounding.

Conclusions:

  • Maternal periodontal disease is not associated with low birth weight in offspring.
  • While a link between periodontal pockets and prematurity was initially suggested, it was confounded by maternal health factors, negating a direct causal relationship.
Abstract

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