Is Periodontal Disease a Risk Factor for Premature Birth and Low Birth Weight

Abstract

Aim: Premature birth or low birth weight has an important place in neonatal mortality and morbidity. Today, there are still cases whose etiology has not been fully elucidated. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of periodontal diseases on adverse pregnancy outcomes by using the current classification system accepted at the 2017 World Workshop. Materials and Methods: This study was carried out on 172 women who were followed up and delivered in the department of obstetrics and gynecology of our university’s medical faculty hospital. Demographic characteristics of all individuals were recorded and laboratory values were examined. While those with a gestational age <37 weeks and/or baby birth weight < 2500 g were constituted to the case group (n=85), those with a gestational age ≥ 37 weeks and/or baby birth weight ≥ 2500 g constituted the control group (n=87). Clinical periodontal and radiographic evaluations including plaque index (PI), gingival index (GI), bleeding on probing (BOP %), probing pocket depth (PPD) and clinical attachment level (CAL) values were performed for all individuals, and the diagnoses were made by the applied classification system. Analyzes were performed between the two groups to examine the relationship between periodontal disease and adverse pregnancy. Results: PI, GI, BOP %, and PPD values in the case group were significantly higher compared to the control group (p<0.001). Although the CAL value was higher in the case group, the difference was not significant (p=0.058). WBC (p=0.020) and PLT (p<0.001) values were significantly higher in the case group. Conclusion: According to the results of this study, periodontal diseases are associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes independent of other risk factors. Women should pay attention to their oral hygiene and dental examinations before and during pregnancy.