title: Effect of antenatal treatment of maternal periodontitis on early childhood neurodevelopment.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine if antenatal treatment of maternal periodontitis affects early childhood neurodevelopment.
  
  
  METHODS
  We evaluated neurodevelopment of 331 24-month-old children born to women who participated in a randomized trial of antenatal (167) or postpartum (164) treatment of periodontitis. Children within groups defined by maternal treatment were designated as high risk for abnormal neurodevelopment (n = 96; birth at ≤34(6)/7 weeks' gestation or small for gestational age following birth at term) or low risk (n = 235; appropriate birth weight and ≥37 weeks' gestation). We measured neurodevelopment using the Bayley Scale of Infant and Toddler Development III (BSID III) and neurological examination. Treatment effect was analyzed using a chi-square or Fisher exact test. Between-group mean scores were compared using Student t test.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There were no differences in the incidence of neuromotor or sensory (visual or hearing) impairment or scores on the BSID III between groups. Low-risk children in the antenatal treatment group had higher language scores than those in the postpartum treatment group (92.9 versus 89.2; p = 0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Antenatal treatment of maternal periodontitis does not appear to affect neurodevelopment at 24 months of age. The slight improvement in language development in low-risk children may be an artifact or not clinically relevant.
authors: Division of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, Texas 78229, USA. matula@uthscsa.edu
authors: Kathleen
authors: K
authors: Matula
authors: Rajam
authors: R
authors: Ramamurthy
authors: Carl
authors: C
authors: Bose
authors: Ricki
authors: R
authors: Goldstein
authors: David
authors: D
authors: Couper
authors: Myriam
authors: M
authors: Peralta-Carcelen
authors: Dawn
authors: D
authors: Stewart
authors: Kathryn E
authors: KE
authors: Gustafson
authors: Steven
authors: S
authors: Offenbacher
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D002657:Child Development; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007807:Language Tests; D015997:Neonatal Screening; D009420:Nervous System / Q000254:growth & development*; D009460:Neurologic Examination; D010518:Periodontitis / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000628:therapy*; D011596:Psychomotor Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D011597:Psychomotor Performance; D013357:Subgingival Curettage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology