Salivary Selenium and Glutathione Peroxidase among Group of Pregnant Women in Relation to Periodontal Condition

Background: pregnant women experienced pronounced oral changes.Saliva composition particularly the antioxidants showed significant changes among pregnant women.Aim: The aims of this study were to assess the level of salivary antioxidants (glutathione peroxidase and selenium).Additionally, periodontal healthwas assessed among a group of pregnant women in comparison with non-pregnant women.Subjects, materials and methods: The study group consisted of sixty pregnant women, they were divided into three equal groups according to trimester (20 pregnant women for each trimester), and they were selected randomly from the Maternal and Child Health Care Centers in Baghdad city, their age range was 20-25 years.In addition to 60 newly married non-pregnant women as a control group and matched with age.Collection of unstimulated salivary samples was carried out under standardized conditions.Periodontal status was evaluated using the gingival index, periodontal pocket depth.The salivary samples were analyzed to determine the level of salivary antioxidants (glutathione peroxidase and selenium).Result: The data analysis of the present study found that the level of salivary antioxidants (glutathione peroxidase and selenium) werelower among pregnant women compared to non-pregnant controls with statistically highly significant difference between them (P<0.01).Regarding trimester of pregnancy, the level of salivary antioxidants (glutathione peroxidase and selenium) were the lowest in third trimester with statistically significant difference for glutathione peroxidase (P<0.05) and statistically highly significant difference for selenium (P<0.01).The values of gingival index and probing pocket depth were higher among pregnant women compared to non-pregnant controls with statistically highly significant difference between them (p<0.01).Regarding trimester of pregnancy, the values of gingival index and probing pocket depth were the highest in the second trimester with statistically highly significant difference among three groups (p<0.01).Conclusion: The current study showed a decrease in antioxidant status increase in oxidative status saliva during pregnancy, that could affect periodontal health which was also affected by pregnancy.