title: Impact of Pharmacological Interventions in Expectant Mothers Resulting in Altered Mutans Streptococci Levels in their Children.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this systematic review was to assess whether prenatal use of fluoride, chlorhexidine mouthrinses, and xylitol could alter the mutans streptococci levels in children.
  
  
  METHODS
  A systematic search of clinical trials was implemented for the Cochrane Oral Health Group's Trials Register, PubMed, PMC, NCBI, ClinicalKey, Google Scholar, LILACS, and Science Direct. A search for ongoing trials was also undertaken in the clinicaltrial.gov database to identify eligible studies. Data regarding methodology, participants, types of interventions, and outcomes were extracted, and the risk of bias was also assessed independently by two review authors.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Only two clinical trials fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Although one study showed significant results, the overall result of this systematic review showed no statistical significance. A risk ratio and 95 percent confidence interval of 0.1 (0.01 to 1.89) were obtained.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Statistically significant results were reported in both the included studies; however, systematic analysis revealed a dearth of current evidence to support the general recommendation of pharmacological interventions for expectant mothers resulting in altered mutans streptococci levels in their children.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pedodontics and Preventive Dentistry, Faculty of Dental Sciences, Sri Ramachandra University, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India. muthumurugan@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Murugan Satta
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Muthu
authors.affiliation: Department of Pedodontics and Preventive Dentistry, Faculty of Dental Sciences, Sri Ramachandra University, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India.
authors.forename: Saikia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ankita
authors.affiliation: Department of Pedodontics, College of Dental Sciences, Jazan University, Jazan, Saudi Arabia.
authors.forename: Apathsakayan
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Renugalakshmi
authors.affiliation: South Asian Cochrane Network and Centre, Christian Medical College, Vellore, Tamil Nadu, India.
authors.forename: Kirubakaran
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Richard
mesh_terms: D002710:Chlorhexidine / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D003731:Dental Caries / Q000382:microbiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005260:Female; D005459:Fluorides / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D006801:Humans; D009035:Mothers; D009067:Mouthwashes / Q000008:administration & dosage; D011247:Pregnancy; D011297:Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects; D013290:Streptococcal Infections / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000635:transmission; D013295:Streptococcus mutans; D014993:Xylitol / Q000008:administration & dosage*
chemical_list: D009067:Mouthwashes; D005459:Fluorides; D002710:Chlorhexidine; D014993:Xylitol