Association between periodontal status and pre-term and/or low-birth weight in Spain: clinical and microbiological parameters.
OBJECTIVE
Studies performed over the last 15 years have suggested that periodontal diseases may be associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes. However, this association has not been found in all populations. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether periodontal status and the presence of specific periodontal pathogens may influence the incidence of adverse pregnancy outcomes.


METHODS
Pregnant women were clinically examined before 26th week of gestation, and divided in two groups: non-periodontitis and periodontitis. Microbial samples were obtained in the periodontitis group and processed by anaerobic culturing. After delivery, data on the pregnancy outcome were taken; mother's socio-demographic and risk factors were obtained at inclusion. Simple and multiple regression analysis were performed.


RESULTS
One hundred and seventy women were included in the study (116 non-periodontitis and 54 with periodontitis). The incidence of preterm (PTB) and low-birth weight (LBW) was 2.94% and 3.53%, respectively. Periodontal status did not show any association with adverse pregnancy outcomes. The presence of Eikenella corrodens was significantly related to PTB (p = 0.022) and the presence Capnocytophaga spp. was related to LBW (p = 0.008). The multivariate analyses showed a significant association between PTB and newborn weight and counts of E. corrodens. Maternal health and counts of E. corrodens were significantly associated with PTB or LBW.


CONCLUSIONS
The clinical periodontal condition was not associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes in a Spanish Caucasian population with medium-high educational level. The presence and counts of E. corrodens and the presence of Capnocytophaga spp. showed a significant association with PTB and LBW, respectively, in the bivariate and/or multivariate model.
ETEP (Etiology and Therapy of Periodontal Diseases) Research Group, University Complutense, Madrid, Spain. isantast@gmail.com
I
I
Santa Cruz
D
D
Herrera
C
C
Martin
A
A
Herrero
M
M
Sanz
D000328:Adult; D058491:Bacterial Load; D002206:Capnocytophaga / Q000302:isolation & purification; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003774:Dental Plaque Index; D016124:Eikenella corrodens / Q000302:isolation & purification; D005260:Female; D016967:Fusobacterium nucleatum / Q000302:isolation & purification; D005865:Gestational Age; D005889:Gingival Recession / Q000145:classification; D006801:Humans; D007230:Infant, Low Birth Weight; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D017622:Periodontal Attachment Loss / Q000145:classification; D010512:Periodontal Index; D010514:Periodontal Pocket / Q000145:classification; D010518:Periodontitis / Q000145:classification / Q000150:complications* / Q000382:microbiology; D016966:Porphyromonas gingivalis / Q000302:isolation & purification; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000382:microbiology; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome; D047928:Premature Birth / Q000382:microbiology; D018720:Prevotella / Q000302:isolation & purification; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013030:Spain; D055815:Young Adult