Association between chronic apical periodontitis and low-birth-weight preterm births

The objective of this study was to investigate the association between chronic apical periodontitis (CAP) and low-birth-weight preterm births (LBWPB).

Sixty-three women in postpartum period were included in this case-control study. The case group consisted of mothers of LBWPB infants (n = 33), and the control group was represented by mothers of newborns at term (n = 30). The CAP diagnosis was performed by using periapical radiographs through the periapical index in postpartum period. The χ(2) test, Fisher exact test, and linear and logistic regression were used for statistical analysis.

It was observed that CAP was present in 54.5% of mothers in the case group and 20.0% in the control group (P = .004); postpartum women with CAP had about 3.5 times greater odds of LBWPB newborns than women without CAP (adjusted odds ratio, 3.52; 95% confidence interval, 1.01-12.32). Postpartum women who reported 6 or more prenatal consultations reduced odds of LBWPB newborns in 80% (adjusted odds ratio, 0.20; 95% CI, 0.06-0.69). It can be estimated that the increase of 1 unit of periapical index had a significant association with the reduction of 1½ gestational weeks in the crude analysis (β = -1.5, P = .010) and the reduction of 211 g in birth weight after the adjusted analysis (β = -211, P = .058).

Prematurity and low birth weight were associated with radiographically detected CAP. Women with CAP in postpartum period had greater odds of LBWPB.