Maternal periodontal diseases affect the leukocyte profiles of umbilical cord blood: A cohort study

Abstract

AimThis study evaluated the connection of periodontal status with the leukocyte profiles of maternal peripheral blood (MPB) and umbilical cord blood (UCB).Materials and MethodsNinety‐nine pregnant females were recruited, and their data were collected via questionnaire and from medical records, including demographics, systemic conditions, complete blood count (CBC) and C‐reaction protein (CRP) level in MPB. Full‐mouth periodontal assessment was performed. CBC and CRP levels in UCB were measured after parturition.ResultsAll subjects and their neonates were generally healthy. 30.3% of the participants presented with periodontal health condition, whereas 69.7% had different severities of periodontal diseases. The counts/percentages of eosinophils and monocytes in UCB from the subjects with periodontal diseases elevated, and the percentage of neutrophils decreased referencing to that from the counterparts (p < 0.05). There were positive correlations for total leukocyte count, neutrophils and lymphocytes counts/percentages in MPB and UCB among the periodontally healthy subjects (r > 0.4, p < 0.05), but such findings did not exist in those with periodontal diseases. Moreover, periodontal diseases independently accounted for the counts/percentages of neutrophils and eosinophils in UCB after controlling confounders in four testing models (ANCOVA, p < 0.05).ConclusionMaternal periodontal diseases could to some extent disturb the leukocyte profiles of umbilical cord blood.

A prospective study on maternal periodontal diseases and neonatal adverse outcomes

“…In addition, it has also been documented that periodontal status is significantly related to fetal growth parameters, suggesting the fact that existing periodontal inflammation contributes to fetal growth restriction [48,49]. As such, in addition to the commonly used periodontal parameters, the emerging variable so called PISA has been measured for quantifying the burden of periodontal inflammation in the present study [32,33]. Interestingly, the PISA shows a significantly positive correlation with the risk of SGA.…”

“…Yet, the public is not fully aware of oral/periodontal health, and the mothers-to-be often could not get access to adequate oral care on a regular basis [52]. Our recent work on the considerable link between maternal periodontal diseases and systemic disorders further highlights the profound importance of integrating oral healthcare into professional maternal schemes for the optimal health and well-being of pregnant females and their newborn babies [32,53]. Since periodontal diseases are a modifiable risk factor of neonatal adverse outcomes, it is strongly suggested that both oral healthcare professionals and obstetricians should raise their awareness of periodontal health in child-bearing women.…”

“…The examination was performed by a calibrated investigator within 1 week of subject recruitment, and the intra-examiner reliability was assessed to be strong having a kappa value of 0.887 [32]. The numbers of tooth loss due to periodontitis and the teeth present excluding 3rd molars were counted.…”