Relationship between periodontitis and Preterm Birth: A case-control study

• Type: Summary of Presentation in an International Conference
• Date: 2006

Authors

P. Santos (Author) Other; Ricardo Faria e Almeida (Author) FMDUP

Conference proceedings International

Title: Journal Clinical Periodontology - Europerio 5

Initial page: 148

Europerio 5

Madrid, março de 2006

Scientific classification

FOS: Medical and Health sciences > Other medical sciences

Other information

Abstract (EN): Relationship between periodontitis and preterm birth: case-control study P. Santos* and R. Almeida University of Fernando Pessoa; Maternity Daniel de Matos The introduction of Periodontal Medicine took doctors and dentists to face with a big heterogeneity of data, which suggest that periodontitis can contribute to the morbidity and mortality of individuals with some systemic conditions and to the preterm birth. The aim of this study was to determine whether maternal periodontitis could be associated with preterm birth. Materials and methods: The case group (n = 22) was de¿ned as postpartum women with spontaneous preterm labour (gestational age <37 weeks) as a result of premature labour or premature rupture of membranes. The control group (n = 24) included postpartum women with term birth (gestational age ¿ 37 weeks). Known risk factors for preterm birth and the periodontal status were recorded. Only postpartum women without any systemic disease were included. The patients were only enrolled into the study after giving informed written consent. Results: The mean birth weight and the gestational age were both lower within postpartum women with periodontitis comparing to the group with gingivitis. The di¿erence is signi¿cant (P = 0.002 and P = 0.008, respectively). A signi¿cant association was found between periodontitis and preterm birth. The odds ratio was 2.9 at the 95% con¿dence interval. Conclusions: The obtained data in this population revealed an association between the presence of maternal periodontitis and preterm birth. Further studies are needed to clarify this association and to determine whether this relation is causal.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific