The impact of periodontitis on the risk of preterm birth: Systematic review and meta-analysis

Abstract

<b>Background:</b> Preterm birth (PTB) is one of the most prevalent and serious adverse pregnancy outcomes (APOs) and major health risk for pregnant individuals and their children during pregnancy and throughout their lifespan. Periodontitis has long been regarded as a silent pandemic which happens to favor the pregnant women due to the physical and hormonal changes during pregnancy. Understanding of the association underscores the importance of keeping oral diseases under check and control to predict and even reduce the risk. The aim is to evaluate the association between periodontitis during pregnancy and preterm birth.<br /> <b>M</b><b>aterial and m</b><b>ethods: </b>A screening and analysis was conducted on studies with comparison data about periodontal infection diseases during pregnancy and preterm birth. The databases include Scopus, PubMed, Elibrary, local databases and the Cochrane library and were searched up to November 20, 2022. The selected studies were included in a random-effects meta-analysis after evaluation of the methodological quality. The summary odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated with Review Manager software.<br /> <b>Results:</b> The review finally included 29 studies involving 2606589 pregnant women. Compared with healthy oral status in pregnancy, periodontitis was associated with preterm birth [OR=1.81, CI=1.60 to 2.03; p<0.001; <i>I</i>2 = 95%].<br /> <b>Conclusion</b><b>: </b>Periodontitis as one of the important factors is associated with increased risks of preterm birth. It is important to put the disease under control before and during pregnancy to reduce the preterm birth outcome.