RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN MATERNAL PERIODONTAL DISEASE AND LOW BIRTH WEIGHT BABIES

摘要

Background: Periodontal infections, which serve as a reservoir of inflammatory mediators, may pose a threat to the fetal-placental unit and cause adverse pregnancy outcomes.Objective: The aim of this study was assessing the periodontal status of women during puerperium and determining the possible relationship between their periodontal disease and low birth weight delivery.Materials and Methods: This was a case-control study. The sample included 88 ex-pregnant women were seen at maternity hospitals of Yazd, Iran. Half of the mothers had low birth babies (LBW) (birth weight below 2500g- case group) and the others had normal weight babies (2500g- control group). The mothersa€? data were obtained from medical files, interview and periodontal clinical examination carried out up to 3 days after delivery. Bleeding on probing, presence of supra-gingival calculus and CPITN (Community Periodontal Index for Treatment Needs) were used for periodontal assessment.Results: Among the known risk factors of LBW babies, history of previous LBW infant among case mothers reached statistical significance (p=0.0081, Student t-test). Mothers of LBW infants had less healthy areas of gingiva (p=0.042), and more deep pockets (p=0.0006, Mann-Whitney test).Conclusion: The maternal periodontal disease can be a potential independent risk factor for LBW.