[Study on maternal periodontal diseases of the relationships between porphyromonas gingivalis, serum pro-immflamatory mediators and preterm low birth weight].
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the associations between periodontal diseases, presence of Porphyromonas gingivalis (P. gingivalis), serum levels of pro-inflammatory mediators and preterm low birth weight (PLBW).


METHODS
60 women (30 PLBW and 30 healthy women), were recruited after postpartum within 3 days in this case-control study. Periodontal measurements including plaque index (PI), bleeding index (BI), probing pocket depth (PD) and clinical attachment loss (CAL) were assessed. The subgingival plaque was collected before periodontal examination and analysed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for the presence of the 16S rRNA gene specific to P. gingivalis, while the venous and umbilical cord blood specimens collected were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).


RESULTS
The PLBW cases had a poorer oral conditions and the presence of P. gingivalis was found in a higher proportion in the PLBW than the healthy pregnant (56.7% vs. 30.0%, P < 0.05). Both of the presence of periodontitis and P. gingivalis have been found to be associated weakly with a shorter gestational age and a lower birth weight (P < 0.05). The levels of IL-1beta, IL-6 and prostaglandin-E2 (PGE2) in both of the blood samples showed higer levels between the PLBW and normal groups (P < 0.01). The IL-1beta and PGE2 levels in maternal serum were higher with a severe periodontal disease in the PLBW group (P < 0.01).


CONCLUSIONS
There may be a possible link between periodontal diseases and PLBW.
Lin
Yao
Y
Dept. of Preventive Dentistry, School of Stomatology, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430079, China.
Tian
Zong-Rui
ZR
Chen
Hong-Bo
HB
Tai
Bao-Jun
BJ
Jiang
Han
H
Du
Min-Quan
MQ
D000328:Adult; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003773:Dental Plaque; D003774:Dental Plaque Index; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007230:Infant, Low Birth Weight; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D015850:Interleukin-6; D010510:Periodontal Diseases; D010518:Periodontitis; D016966:Porphyromonas gingivalis; D011247:Pregnancy; D047928:Premature Birth; D012336:RNA, Ribosomal, 16S
D015850:Interleukin-6; D012336:RNA, Ribosomal, 16S