title: [Periodontal disease and preterm birth].
abstract: Preterm birth (PB) is a primary public health challenge in both developed and underdeveloped nations. Despite improvements in obstetric care, rates of preterm birth have not decreased during the last 10 years. The etiological role of maternal infection, either in the genital tract or elsewhere, on preterm delivery remains unclear. Periodontal disease (PD) is one of the most common chronic infectious diseases. This type of infection is caused primarily by Gram-negative anaerobic, and microaerophilic bacteria that colonize the subgingival area and produce significant amounts of proinflammatory cytokines, mainly interleukin 1 beta and interleukin 6, prostaglandin E2, and Tumor necrosis factor alpha. PD may therefore influence PB through an indirect mechanism involving inflammatory mediators or through a direct bacterial assault on the amnion.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Malinova
mesh_terms: D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007752:Obstetric Labor, Premature; D010510:Periodontal Diseases / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000382:microbiology; D011247:Pregnancy; D011251:Pregnancy Complications, Infectious / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000382:microbiology; D047928:Premature Birth / Q000209:etiology*