Prevention of preterm delivery with periodontal treatment.
OBJECTIVE
To demonstrate the role of periodontal treatment (PT) in the prevention of preterm delivery (PD).


METHODS
A comparative prospective study of two groups of pregnant women with threatening PD was carried out at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology of the University of Szeged: group A (n = 39) comprised patients who were merely examined dentally for periodontitis, and group B (n = 44) consisted of patients who received periodontal treatment during pregnancy.


RESULTS
Periodontitis was identified in 19 cases (48.7%) in group A and in 18 cases (40.9%) in group B. The mean birth weight of the newborns was significantly higher in group B (3,009.1 g) than in group A (2,580.8 g; p = 0.007). The rate of premature birth was significantly lower in the group who received PT (p = 0.012, odds ratio = 3.5, 95% confidence interval = 1.38-8.86).


CONCLUSIONS
The PT of pregnant women can decrease the rate of premature birth and consequently lead to a better neonatal health outcome.
Novák
Tibor
T
Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary. novakta@freemail.hu or novobgyn@invitel.hu
Radnai
Márta
M
Gorzó
István
I
Urbán
Edit
E
Orvos
Hajnalka
H
Eller
József
J
Pál
Attila
A
D000328:Adult; D003729:Dental Care; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007752:Obstetric Labor, Premature / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D010518:Periodontitis / Q000150:complications* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy; D011247:Pregnancy