Evaluation of the correlation between preterm birth and dental and periodontal health indices

Abstract

Introduction & Aim: Periodontal diseases are considered as a risk factor for low birth weight and preterm birth. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between periodontium health indicators and pregnant women's teeth and preterm infants. Methods and Materials In this case-control study, 82 pregnant women were evaluated in Alzahra hospital of Tabriz, in the age range of 20-35 years old. The case group included mothers with a gestational age of less than 37 weeks, and the control group had maternal gestational age of more than 37 weeks. Oral and postpartum examinations (up to 48 hours later and when they were able to withstand periodontal examination) were recorded. Data information was recorded in two parts of the demographic information and periodontal health indicators. The data were analyzed by SPSS20 software through Mann-Whitney and Kruskal Wallis tests. Results Dental caries in mothers with preterm infants was 7.34 ± 4.45 and in mothers with normal baby was 5.68 ± 4.29. Pocket depth (PD), clinical adhesion limit (CAL), bleeding during progestogen (BOP) and GI in mothers with preterm infants were significantly higher than mothers with normal baby. And the rate of keratinized gingival index is similar in both groups of mothers. Conclusion There is a relationship between predominant health indicators of pregnant women and the premature birth of a baby. Therefore, non-surgical periodontal treatment can reduce the risk of premature baby birth in mothers.