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Oral yeast colonization throughout pregnancy.
R Rio1, L Simões-Silva, S Garro
1Faculdade de Medicina, Dentária da Universidade do Porto, Rua Dr. Manuel Pereira da Silva, 4200-393 Porto, Portugal, bmaia@fmd.up.pt.
Medicina Oral, Patologia Oral Y Cirugia Bucal
|February 5, 2017
Summary
Pregnancy may increase oral yeast colonization, potentially due to a more acidic oral environment. This study tracked yeast in pregnant and non-pregnant women over six months.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Oral Health
- Maternal Health
Background:
- Emerging evidence suggests a link between the maternal oral microbiome and the placenta.
- Pregnancy involves significant physiological and hormonal changes affecting the oral environment.
- Limited research has explored oral microbiota shifts during pregnancy.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate oral yeast colonization throughout pregnancy.
- To compare oral yeast prevalence in pregnant versus non-pregnant women.
Main Methods:
- Saliva samples from 30 pregnant and 30 non-pregnant women were analyzed over six months.
- Demographic data, oral examinations, saliva flow, and pH were recorded.
- Oral yeast colonization was assessed longitudinally.
Main Results:
- Saliva pH was lower in pregnant women compared to non-pregnant women.
- Oral yeast prevalence was higher in pregnant women during both trimesters, though not statistically significant.
- Yeast load (Log10CFU/mL) increased from the first to the third trimester in pregnant women.
Conclusions:
- Pregnancy appears to promote oral yeast growth.
- An acidic oral environment during pregnancy may contribute to increased yeast colonization.
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