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Maternal periodontal disease and preterm birth: A case-control study
Pushpalatha Govindaraju1, Sanjay Venugopal1, Madhura Antharasanahalli Shivakumar1
1Department of Periodontics, Sree Siddhartha Dental College and Research Center, Agalakote, Tumkur, Karnataka, India.
Journal of Indian Society of Periodontology
|December 9, 2015
Summary
Maternal periodontitis is linked to preterm birth (PTB). This study found poorer periodontal health in mothers with PTB, suggesting a connection between gum disease and premature delivery.
Area of Science:
- Obstetrics and Gynecology
- Periodontology
- Public Health
Background:
- Preterm birth (PTB) is a leading cause of infant mortality.
- Systemic diseases may influence PTB, with recent focus on maternal periodontitis.
- Investigating the link between periodontitis and PTB is crucial for public health.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the relationship between maternal periodontitis and preterm birth.
- To determine if periodontal status is associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes.
Main Methods:
- Recruited 40 healthy primiparous mothers (18-35 years).
- Categorized participants into PTB (n=20) and full-term birth (FTB, n=20) groups.
- Collected data on periodontal status, pregnancy outcomes, and other influencing factors within 2 days of labor.
Main Results:
- PTB group showed significantly shorter gestational periods and lower infant birth weights.
- Mothers in the PTB group exhibited statistically poorer periodontal status compared to the FTB group.
- A positive correlation was observed between gestational age and clinical periodontal parameters.
Conclusions:
- An association exists between periodontitis and gestational age.
- A positive correlation was found between PTB and periodontitis.
- Further research is needed to confirm periodontal disease as an independent risk factor for PTB.
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