A relationship between maternal periodontal disease and preterm low birth weight: A cross-sectional study

Abstract

BackgroundPreterm birth accompanied by low birth weight is considered to be one of the most important causes for neonatal mortality. Several researches have demonstrated that periodontitis could be an independent risk factor for this condition. The aim of this study is to evaluate relationship between the maternal periodontal health and preterm birth including low birth weight infants. Material & methodsA total of 90 patients were evaluated for the present study. The test group consisted of 45 patients having preterm delivery and low birth weight infants. The control group consisted of 45 patients having full term delivery with normal birth weight infants. The clinical periodontal parameters recorded were Debris Index (DI), Papillary Bleeding Index (PBI), Clinical Attachment Level (CAL), Probing Pocket Depth (PPD), and Gingival Recession (GR). Birth weight was recorded from child's medical record while the gestational age was recorded from Dept. of Obstetrics JNMC, Sawangi (M) Wardha. ResultsThe mean DI, PBI, CAL, PPD, GR for control group was 0.66, 0.51, 1.73, 2.44, and 0.37 respectively while for test group it was 1.02, 1.07, 3.18, 2.36, and 1.14 respectively. There was significantly greater mean Clinical Attachment Loss in the test group compared to control group. ConclusionTherefore, it can be concluded that there is a significant relationship between maternal periodontal disease and preterm birth and low birth weight.