Mothers’ high glycemic levels and the association between periodontitis and low birth weight

Abstract

Background: Maternal hyperglycemia, periodontitis, and adverse gestational outcomes are important health problems. The present study investigated the hypothesis that periodontitis and the glycemic level of mothers may have opposing influences on birth weight (BW). This study evaluated the effect of high glycemic levels, albeit within the normal range, on the association between periodontitis and low birth weight (LBW).Methods: A total of 732 women took part in this case-control study; 172 were mothers of children with LBW <2,500 g, and 560 were mothers of children with BW ≥2,500 g. The BW of newborns was obtained from medical records, and information on socioeconomic-demographic, lifestyle behavior were obtained through interviews. Glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) levels were evaluated, and full-mouth periodontal examination was carried out within 7 days postpartum. Hierarchical and logistic regression analysis evaluated the effect of glycemic levels on the association between periodontitis and LBW by subgroups, estimating odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (95% CI).

Periodontitis links to concurrent metabolic disorders and abnormal liver function in pregnant women

“…Uncontrolled periodontitis adversely affects maternal and offspring health, and one study indicates that maternal periodontal disease is a crucial risk factor for preterm low birth weight (PLBW) infants (Offenbacher et al, 1996). Recent studies reveal that maternal periodontitis enormously accounts for LBW with a 6‐fold increased likelihood (Gomes‐Filho et al, 2016; Gomes‐Filho et al, 2021). Longitudinal studies further demonstrate that poor periodontal conditions during pregnancy could increase the risk of preeclampsia and preterm birth (Figuero et al, 2020; Raju & Berens, 2021).…”