Periodontal Disease in Pregnancy is a Risk Factor for Preeclampsia

Abstract

The prevalence of gingivitis and periodontitis is high among women in rural areas of India. Recent studies indicate that there may be an association between periodontitis and pregnancy complications such as preeclampsia. This observational study investigated the possible association between periodontitis during pregnancy and preeclampsia among women attending a tertiary care hospital in South India. The study population included 130 pregnant women aged >18 years who were enrolled between 26 and 32 weeks of gestation. Participants were given oral health examinations at recruitment, and again within 48 hours of delivery, to determine the presence of periodontal disease and its progression. The presence of periodontitis was defined as clinical attachment loss of ≥3 mm and pocket depth of ≥5 mm. Periodontitis was found more frequently among women with preeclampsia than among normotensive women, both at enrollment (100% vs. 78%) and after delivery (100% vs. 86%) (for both the comparisons, P < 0.001). Multiple logistic regression analysis showed an association between the occurrence of periodontitis and an increased risk of preeclampsia, both at enrollment (odds ratio, 5.78, 95% confidence interval, 2.41-13.89) and within 48 hours of delivery (odds ratio, 20.15; 95% confidence interval, 4.55-89.29). These findings show that the occurrence of periodontitis in pregnancy may be a risk factor for development of preeclampsia.