Association between maternal periodontal status and ultrasonographic measurement of fetal growth: A longitudinal study

Ayano Taniguchi-Tabata,Manabu Morita,Daisuke Ekuni,Yoko Uchida,Noriko Takeuchi

doi:10.1038/s41598-020-58396-7

Ayano Taniguchi-Tabata, Manabu Morita + Show 3 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-020-58396-7

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Journal: Scientific Reports	Publication Date: Jan 29, 2020
Citations: 7	License type: open-access

Affiliation: Okayama University Hospital, Okayama University

Abstract

The aim of this prospective cohort study was to investigate the association between intrauterine fetal growth patterns and periodontal status in pregnant women. Fifty-three pregnant women were recruited. Periodontitis was diagnosed based on probing pocket depth and clinical attachment level. Maternal urinary 8-hydroxy-2’-deoxyguanosine levels and body mass index were recorded. Ultrasonographic measurements of the biparietal diameter (BPD), abdominal circumference (AC), and femur length (FL) were recorded, and estimated fetal weight (EFW) was calculated. In addition, approximation spline curves of BPD, AC, FL, and EFW were obtained throughout the gestation period. Recorded delivery outcomes were gestational age (GA), birth weight and length, sex, placental weight, and umbilical cord length. Forty-four participants (34.1 ± 4.9 years) were analyzed. Mean neonatal birth weight was 2906.0 ± 544.4 g. On multiple regression analysis, birth weight was related with periodontitis (standardized β = −0.21, P = 0.001). For EFW and BPD, the curves of the periodontitis group were located lower than those of the non-periodontitis group, with significant differences after 32 weeks and 20 weeks of GA, respectively. In conclusion, periodontal treatment before conception may be recommended and a good periodontal condition in the early stage of pregnancy at the latest is desirable for infant growth.

Highlights

The aim of this prospective cohort study was to investigate the association between intrauterine fetal growth patterns and periodontal status in pregnant women
The comparison of estimated fetal weight (EFW) curves between the non-periodontitis group and the periodontitis group showed that a significant difference in EFW began at 32 weeks of gestational age (GA)
The results suggest that the maternal periodontal condition in the first trimester was associated with fetal growth at a later GA

Summary

Introduction

The aim of this prospective cohort study was to investigate the association between intrauterine fetal growth patterns and periodontal status in pregnant women. A meta-analysis concluded that treatment of periodontal disease during pregnancy had no significant effect in reducing the incidence of LBW. Further studies are needed to determine the appropriate timing of periodontal treatment to avoid the negative effects of periodontal disease on fetal growth. Most previous studies focused only on delivery outcomes to see any association between periodontal disease and fetal growth. Cross-sectional studies based on birth weight could not sufficiently assess fetal/neonatal growth, because the delivery outcome data would be biased by possible growth restriction, such as preterm deliveries associated with maternal complications or iatrogenic preterm deliveries[25]. Few studies reported the effect of periodontal disease on longitudinal patterns of intrauterine fetal growth throughout the entire gestational period

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Conclusion