Preterm low birth weights associated with periodontal disease in the Fiji Islands.
OBJECTIVE
To determine any association between pre-term low birth weight (PTLBW) neonates and periodontal disease during the mother's pregnancy.


METHODS
A multi-centered prospective case cohort study.


METHODS
Ante-natal clinics at the Colonial War Memorial and Lautoka Hospitals, Fiji from 1st January to 30th June 2004.


METHODS
670 multiethnic pregnant women.


METHODS
Participants were interviewed to identify confounding variables--medical conditions, smoking, alcohol consumption, maternal age and history of preterm birth. Oral examination was conducted and included the Community Periodontal Index of Treatment Needs (CPITN). Delivery outcome was recorded for each woman.


RESULTS
The mean age of participants was 25.80 +/- 5.56 years. 1.9% (n=13) women delivered preterm babies. More than 50% of this group displayed moderate to severe periodontitis compared with 13% of women who had a normal delivery. Preterm birth was also associated with the mother having had a previous preterm birth and who was more likely to be Indo-Fijian (p < 0.01). There was no significant association with where the mother lived; however, rural women with PTLBW babies had more severe periodontal disease (p = 0.0001).


CONCLUSIONS
There is a highly significant association between pre-term birth and moderate to severe periodontal disease (p = 0.0001).
Sharma
Ramakant
R
Fiji School of Medicine, Suva, The Republic of the Fiji Islands.
Maimanuku
Leenu R
LR
Morse
Zac
Z
Pack
Angela R
AR
D000328:Adult; D000428:Alcohol Drinking; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005006:Ethnicity; D005260:Female; D005367:Fiji; D006801:Humans; D007230:Infant, Low Birth Weight; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature; D008423:Maternal Age; D010510:Periodontal Diseases / Q000150:complications*; D010512:Periodontal Index; D010518:Periodontitis / Q000150:complications; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome; D011446:Prospective Studies; D017584:Reproductive History; D012423:Rural Health; D012907:Smoking