Birth Weight of Infants of Mothers With Aggressive Periodontitis

Abstract

Background It was hypothesized that if periodontal infections predispose low birth weights and premature birth, then such outcomes should be apparent when the mother has aggressive periodontitis (AgP). Methods Birth weight data were collected by questionnaire from females with AgP, their periodontally healthy siblings, and unrelated periodontally healthy women. Both prospective and retrospective birth outcome data were used. Because many of the periodontal evaluations were performed after the births, there were incomplete data regarding most of the risk factors for low birth weight. We determined associations between mothers’ periodontal diagnoses and clinical variables and the reported birth weights. Results There were no significant differences in mean birth weights of babies born to control subjects or AgP patients. This was true whether all the births were considered or only those reported <1 or 2 years before periodontal examination. For periodontally healthy controls, 13.2% of babies born to siblings of AgP patients and 12.8% of babies born to unrelated mothers weighed <2,500 g, whereas 9.9% of those born to mothers with generalized AgP and 10.3% of those born to mothers with localized AgP weighed <2,500 g. Conclusions Because of the relative rarity of AgP in the population, and attendant difficulties in performing a prospective study of its association with pregnancy outcomes, we used a compromised approach using prospective data as well as weaker retrospective data assuming that disease onset was likely before the births. Our results, within the limitations of this approach, indicate no evidence that AgP in the mother predisposes low birth weights. AgP has many unique biologic characteristics that differentiate it from chronic forms of periodontal disease, and the possible lack of its association with birth weight may be another such characteristic.

The effects of periodontal treatment on pregnancy outcomes

“…George et al (2011) provided some support for this theory by reporting a significant overall treatment effect in trials that enrolled women with less extensive -although not necessarily less severe -disease. A recent study, however, questions whether adverse pregnancy outcomes are associated with advanced or aggressive forms of periodontitis (Schenkein et al 2012).…”

Aggressive Periodontitis and its Multidisciplinary Focus: Review of the Literature

“…Other studies whose objective was to determine periodontal disease in young population found a prevalence in persons aged between 13 and 20 years of <1%, while in adolescents between the ages of 15 and 17 years, the prevalence was estimated at 0.2% for Caucasians and at 2.6% for Blacks. Similarly, greater prevalence was found in women than in men, and <1% of the population aged under the age of 30 years had AP (20).…”

Preeklampsijos ir lėtinio periodontito ryšys

“…[20,15,46]. 2012 m. H. A. Schenkein studijoje ištyrus nėš-čiąsias, sirgusias lokalizuotu ir generalizuotu agresyviu periodontitu bei sveikųjų grupę, atsižvelgiant į rūkymą, rasę, amžių, nėštumo trukmę, nerasta statistiškai patikimo ryšio tarp agresyvaus periodontito ir naujagimio svorio [43].…”