Effects of Gingivitis During Pregnancy on Incidence of Low Birth Weight Baby in Al-Dour City, October 2009 - March 2010

Abstract

It has been suggested that gingivitis during pregnancy could have a causal relationship with low weights for newborns. The objective of this study is to estimate the effect of gingivitis during pregnancy on the birth weight of newborns. Pregnant women were randomly selected and whom their gum had inflamed were contained in Group 1 (or G1); and this sample size was 50 subjects. This group was compared with a control group of 50 pregnant women whom presented with healthy gums and contained in Group 2 (or G2). Mothers were examined by a dentist who was not informed of the group classified. A probe was used to measure extent and severity of gingivitis. The extension index (EI) and severity index (SI) of gingivitis were determined.Both groups of mothers were near in terms of maternal age, parity, weight, height, skin color, obesity, socioeconomic status, parity, antenatal care, abortion, bacteriuria, nutritional status, diabetes mellitus, previous hypertension, and preeclampsia. The characteristics of the newborns were: birth weight: G1 = 1854±590 gram and G2 = 3175±610 gram; gestational age: G1 = 34±6 weeks and G2 = 38±3 weeks; duration of stay in the neonatal intensive care unit: G1 = 1.8±0.6 days and G 2 = 0.7±0.4 days. Average EI: G1 = 84.663±11.634 and G2 = 69.010±18.122 (p<0.05). Average SI: G1 = 1.217±0.623 and G2 = 0.705±0.404 (p<0.05). The study analysis indicated a mar ked relation between gingivitis and low birth weight. Our data suggested that gingivitis during pregnancy may be a risk factor for l ow weight at birth.