Current evidence regarding periodontal disease as a risk factor in preterm birth.
Preterm birth, resulting in babies born too little and too soon, is a major cause of morbidity. Evidence indicates that infections can be major risk factors in preterm birth. Case-control studies point to an association between periodontal infection and increased rates of preterm birth. This paper summarizes evidence to date and the strategies that ongoing intervention studies are using to answer the fundamental clinical question: can periodontal therapy reduce the risk of preterm birth?
Jeffcoat
M K
MK
Department of Periodontology, UAB School of Dentistry, Birmingham, Alabama, USA. jeffcoat@uab.edu
Geurs
N C
NC
Reddy
M S
MS
Goldenberg
R L
RL
Hauth
J C
JC
D016022:Case-Control Studies; D016207:Cytokines / Q000276:immunology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007230:Infant, Low Birth Weight; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature; D018836:Inflammation Mediators / Q000276:immunology; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D007752:Obstetric Labor, Premature / Q000276:immunology; D010510:Periodontal Diseases / Q000150:complications* / Q000382:microbiology / Q000628:therapy; D011247:Pregnancy; D011251:Pregnancy Complications, Infectious / Q000382:microbiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012107:Research Design; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors
D016207:Cytokines; D018836:Inflammation Mediators