A possible association between preterm birth and early periodontitis

UNLABELLED: According to many studies, generalised periodontitis can be a risk factor for preterm birth (PB). A case-control study was carried out to examine if early localised periodontitis could be a risk factor for adverse pregnancy outcome. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Postpartum women without any systemic disease were included into the study. Similar numbers of patients belonged to the case (41) and to the control (44) groups. A PB case was defined if a patient had a threatening premature labour during pregnancy, preterm premature rupture of membranes, or spontaneous preterm labour, and/or the weight of the newborn was < or = 2499 g. Control women had delivery after the 37th gestational week and the newborn's weight was > or = 2500 g. Known risk factors like smoking, alcohol, drug consumption, socio-economic status and the periodontal status were recorded. RESULTS: A significant association was found between PB and early localised periodontitis of the patient with the following criterion having bleeding at > or = 50% of the examined sites (6 at each tooth) and having at least at one site > or = 4 mm probing depth (p = 0.001). The odds ratio was 5.46 at the 95% confidence interval. The average weight of the newborns in the periodontitis group was less than in the control group, the difference is significant (p = 0.047). CONCLUSION: The results indicate that early localised periodontitis of the patient during pregnancy can be regarded as an important risk factor for PB.