Maternal oral health status and preterm low birth weight at Muhimbili National Hospital, Tanzania: a case-control study

The study examined the relationship between oral health status (periodontal disease and carious pulpal exposure (CPE)) and preterm low-birth-weight (PTLBW) infant deliveries among Tanzanian-African mothers at Muhimbili National Hospital (MNH), Tanzania. A retrospective case-control study was conducted, involving 373 postpartum mothers aged 14-44 years (PTLBW--150 cases) and at term normal-birth-weight (TNBW)--223 controls), using structured questionnaire and full-mouth examination for periodontal and dentition status. The mean number of sites with gingival bleeding was higher in PTLBW than in TNBW (P = 0.026). No significant differences were observed for sites with plaque, calculus, teeth with decay, missing, filling (DMFT) between PTLBW and TNBW. Controlling for known risk factors in all post-partum (n = 373), and primiparaous (n = 206) mothers, no significant differences were found regarding periodontal disease diagnosis threshold (PDT) (four sites or more that had probing periodontal pocket depth 4+mm and gingival bleeding > or = 30% sites), and CPE between cases and controls. Significant risk factors for PTLBW among primi- and multiparous mothers together were age < or = 19 years (adjusted Odds Ratio (aOR) = 2.09, 95% Confidence interval (95% CI): 1.18-3.67, P = 0.011), hypertension (aOR = 2.44, (95% CI): 1.20-4.93, P = 0.013) and being un-married (aOR = 1.59, (95% CI): 1.00-2.53, P = 0.049). For primiparous mothers significant risk factors for PTLBW were age < or = 19 years (aOR = 2.07, 95% CI: 1.13 - 3.81, P = 0.019), and being un-married (aOR = 2.58, 95% CI: 1.42-4.67, P = 0.002). These clinical findings show no evidence for periodontal disease or carious pulpal exposure being significant risk factors in PTLBW infant delivery among Tanzanian-Africans mothers at MNH, except for young age, hypertension, and being unmarried. Further research incorporating periodontal pathogens is recommended

Relationship between maternal periodontal disease and birth of preterm low weight babies Associação entre doença periodontal materna e nascimento de bebês prematuros e de baixo peso

It has been recently suggested that periodontal disease is an associated factor for prematurity and low birth weight. The aim of this work was to assess the periodontal status of puerperae and determine its possible relationship with preterm low birth weight (PLBW) delivery. The sample included 59 women seen at two maternity hospitals in Juiz de Fora, MG, Brazil. Nineteen mothers had premature and low birth weight babies (gestational age below 37 weeks and birth weight below 2,500 g - group I), and 40 had mature, normal weight babies (gestational age over 37 weeks and birth weight over 2,500 g - group II). The mothers' data were obtained from medical files, interview, and periodontal clinical examination carried out up to 48 hours after delivery. The Periodontal Screening and Recording (PSR) was used for periodontal assessment. The association between periodontal disease and PLBW was expressed as odds ratio (OR). There was a higher rate of periodontal disease in group I (84.21% - 16/19) as compared with group II (37.5% - 15/40). The data also showed a significant association between periodontal disease and PLBW (OR = 8.9 - 95% CI: 2.22-35.65 - p = 0.001). It was concluded that maternal periodontal disease was an associated factor for prematurity and low birth weight in this sample.<br>Estudos recentes sugerem que a doença periodontal é um fator associado para prematuridade e baixo peso ao nascimento. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a condição periodontal de puérperas e determinar sua possível associação com nascimentos prematuros e de baixo peso (NPBP). A amostra incluiu 59 mães atendidas em duas maternidades de Juiz de Fora, MG. Dentre essas, 19 tiveram bebês prematuros e de baixo peso (idade gestacional menor que 37 semanas e peso ao nascimento menor que 2.500 g - grupo I) e 40 tiveram bebês a termo e de peso normal (idade gestacional maior que 37 semanas e peso ao nascimento maior que 2.500 g - grupo II). Os dados das mães foram obtidos através de prontuário médico, entrevista e exame clínico periodontal, realizado até 48 horas após o parto. O Registro Periodontal Simplificado (RPS) foi utilizado para avaliar a condição periodontal. A associação entre doença periodontal e NPBP foi expressa em "odds ratio" (OR). Os resultados demonstraram uma freqüência maior de doença periodontal no grupo I (84,21% - 16/19) em comparação ao grupo II (37,5% - 15/40). Os dados demonstraram ainda uma associação significante entre a presença de doença periodontal e NPBP (OR = 8,9 - IC de 95%: 2,22-35,65 - p = 0,001). Concluiu-se que a doença periodontal materna atuou como fator associado para a prematuridade e o baixo peso ao nascimento nesta amostra