Indian Journal of Public Health Research & Development

  • Year: 2019
  • Volume: 10
  • Issue: 11

Evaluation of the Relationship between Maternal Periodontitis and Preterm Low Birth Weight Infants: A Case Control Study

1Graduate Student, Department of Periodontics, Saveetha Dental College, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences, Saveetha University, Tamil Nadu

2Professor, Department of Periodontics, Saveetha Dental College, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences, Saveetha University, Tamil Nadu

*Corresponding Author: Jaiganesh Ramamurthy Reader, Department of Periodontics, Saveetha Dental College, Saveetha Institute of Technical and Medical Sciences, Saveetha University, 162 Poonamalee High Road, Chennai-600077, Tamilnadu, India Ph: +91–98404 43463, e-mail: dr.r.jaiganesh@gmail.com

Online published on 27 March, 2020.

Abstract

The relationship between periodontal disease in pregnancy and children born prematurely or with low birth weight has been increasingly investigated showing both positive and negative results. Various factors found to be associated with preterm and low birth weight infants include age of mother, height, weight, socio-economic status, ethinicity, smoking, alcohol, nutritional status and stress. The objective of this study was to evaluate the association between Maternal Periodontitis and preterm delivery or low birthweight.

In this case-control study, 30 pregnant women without systemic diseases or other risk factors for preterm labour were chosen. The control group (n=15) had term labour (infants > 37 weeks) and the case group (n=15) had preterm labour (infants< 37 weeks). Birth weight of the infant, bleeding index, plaque index, probing depth and loss of attachment of the mother were measured.

The data of plaque index (cases 1.22 + 0.36, control 0.83 + 0.32), bleeding index (cases 2.16 + 0.52, control 1.32 + 0.51), probing depth (case 5.13 + 0.32, control 3.20 + 0.31), loss of attachment (case 3.25 + 0.13, control 2.03 + 0.03), and birth weight (case 2.34 + 0.21, control 2.97 + 0.52) (odds ratio 135.5, P value <0.0001) revealed a statistically significant difference between the two groups.

A noticeable relationship between periodontal health and duration of pregnancy can be established. Hence periodontal disease may be considered as a risk factor for preterm labour. Oral hygiene maintenance therefore should be considered a part of prenatal care protocol.

Keywords

Periodontal disease, Pregnancy, Low birth weight, Preterm, Risk factors