title: Further evidence for periodontal disease as a risk indicator for adverse pregnancy outcomes.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Although there is increasing evidence to suggest an association between periodontal disease and adverse pregnancy outcomes, the issue remains controversial.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This study tested the hypothesis that periodontal disease is a risk indicator for preterm delivery of low-birthweight infants.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study sample comprised 443 pregnant women with a mean (± standard deviation) age of 24.13 (±5.30) years. At first visit, maternal oral health status was assessed by the measurement of probing pocket depth and clinical attachment loss, and periodontal status was graded as absent, mild, moderate or severe. An association was sought between pregnancy outcomes and maternal periodontal status.
  
  
  RESULTS
  While controlling for other factors, significant associations were found between pregnancy outcomes and maternal periodontal index scores.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study provides further evidence that periodontal disease is a risk indicator for adverse pregnancy outcomes.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Biosciences, University of the Western Cape, Bellville, Cape Town, South Africa.
authors.forename: Mervyn
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Turton
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Biosciences, University of the Western Cape, Bellville, Cape Town, South Africa.
authors.forename: Charlene W J
authors.initials: CWJ
authors.lastname: Africa
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D005865:Gestational Age; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D007230:Infant, Low Birth Weight; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D009909:Oral Health; D017622:Periodontal Attachment Loss / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology; D010510:Periodontal Diseases / Q000150:complications* / Q000453:epidemiology; D010512:Periodontal Index; D010514:Periodontal Pocket / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D047928:Premature Birth / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D012307:Risk Factors; D013019:South Africa; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Periodontal disease; low birthweight; preterm birth