title: Changes in Periodontal Parameters and C-Reactive Protein After Pregnancy.
abstract: This study assesses hormonal, inflammatory, and periodontal changes in pregnant women and postpartum in the absence of periodontal treatment, and seeks to determine any correlations among these parameters.
  
  
  
  A longitudinal, observational study of 117 pregnant women (aged 23 to 42 years) was undertaken in a private gynecologic center between weeks 32 and 35 of pregnancy and 6 to 8 weeks after delivery. Levels of progesterone and C-reactive protein (CRP) in plasma were determined, as well as periodontal indices, including: 1) plaque index (PI); 2) bleeding on probing (BOP); 3) probing depth (PD); and 4) clinical attachment level (CAL).
  
  
  
  Postpartum progesterone and CRP declined sharply from 90.85 ± 42.51 ng/mL and 3.73 ± 4.01 mg/L to 0.77 ± 1.43 ng/mL and 1.43 ± 1.67 mg/L, respectively. There was also a significant improvement in all periodontal indices (P <0.05) with the exception of PI. During pregnancy mean BOP was 21.03%, mean PD 2.62 mm, and mean CAL 1.20 mm. After delivery mean BOP was 13.25%, mean PD 2.39 mm, and mean CAL 1.14 mm. Percentage of 1- to 3-mm pockets increased (P <0.05), while 4- to 5-mm pockets and pockets >6 mm decreased significantly (P <0.001). Reduction in CRP correlated significantly with decrease in BOP (P <0.001).
  
  
  
  Postpartum, there was a dramatic reduction in progesterone and CRP, together with an improvement in BOP, PD, and CAL in the absence of periodontal treatment. Decrease in CRP was related to an improvement in periodontal bleeding.
authors.affiliation: Department of Odontology, CEU Cardenal Herrera University, Valencia, Spain.
authors.forename: Lucía Gil
authors.initials: LG
authors.lastname: Raga
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral Surgery, CEU Cardenal Herrera University.
authors.forename: Ignacio
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Mínguez
authors.affiliation: Department of Periodontics, Complutense University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain.
authors.forename: Raul
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Caffesse
authors.affiliation: Medically Compromised Patients Department, School of Dentistry, University of Valencia, Valencia, Spain.
authors.forename: Fernando
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Llambés
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000032:analysis*; D003774:Dental Plaque Index; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D017622:Periodontal Attachment Loss; D010510:Periodontal Diseases / Q000097:blood*; D010512:Periodontal Index; D049590:Postpartum Period; D011247:Pregnancy
chemical_list: D002097:C-Reactive Protein
keywords: Anti-inflammatory agents; gynecology; obstetrics; periodontitis; pregnancy