Abstract
The objective of this study was to examine the prevalence and relationship between
maternal periodontal disease and preterm low birth weight (LBW) babies among women
delivering at Hindu Rao Hospital, Delhi, India. A case control study was performed
on 150 women fulfilling the selection criteria over a period of one year. The study
consisted of 50 cases, (women delivering preterm babies weighing ≤2.5 kg, Group I)
and 100 controls (women delivering babies at ≥37 weeks and weighing >2.5 kg, Group
II). Associated risk factors for preterm low birth weight (PT-LBW) were ascertained
by means of a structured questionnaire and maternal notes. Women having any of the
possible risk factors for preterm LBW were either excluded or confounded in the study.
The prevalence of periodontal disease was assessed by the community periodontal index
of treatment needs (CPITN) scoring method, with scores ranging from 0 to 4. Data were
analyzed using Graphpad Prism-5 software. P value and odds ratio (OR) with 95 % confidence interval were calculated as and when
required for statistical analysis. Prevalence of periodontal disease was 84.66 % (n
= 150) in the study population. Prevalence of periodontal disease was high, at least
in some form or other, in cases (100 %) as compared to controls (77 %). The prevalence
of severe periodontal disease (CPITN score-4) was 8 % in cases and 3 % in controls.
Periodontal disease is an avoidable risk factor for LBW as almost all of the known
risk factors for LBW were either excluded or confounded during the study. Hence, routine
periodontal examination and advice on good oral hygiene should be included as part
of preconceptional care and antenatal checkups during pregnancy. Any dysfunction should
be thoroughly investigated and treated for the sake of health of both mother and baby.
Keywords
Periodontal disease - Pregnancy - Preterm birth - Low birth weight - CPITN scoring
