Relationship Between Maternal Periodontal Health And Pre-Term Low Birth Weight Babies- A Myth Or Reality: A Case Control Study.

Dr. Tripti Chandra

Volume : VIII, Issue : II, February - 2019

Relationship Between Maternal Periodontal Health And Pre-Term Low Birth Weight Babies- A Myth Or Reality: A Case Control Study.

Dr. Tripti Chandra

Abstract :

Background and Objective:

In both developed and developing countries, preterm low birth weight (PTLBW) has a tremendous impact on both the health care system and the individual families affected. Periodontal disease is suggested to be an important risk factor associated with preterm low birth weight babies (PTLBW). PTLBW babies are a major issue in public health as they are related to high rate of infant mortality and morbidity. The aim of the presentstudy was to examine the relationship between maternalperiodontal disease and preterm low–birthweight infants.

Materials and Methods:

60 systemically healthy post–partum mothers between the age group of 18–35 years who reported to the Department of Dental Surgery, Bokaro General Hospital, Jharkhand were included in the study. Based on inclusion and exclusion criteria, they were categorized into PTLBW group as cases and full–term normal birthweight group (FTNBW) as controls.

PTLBW cases (n = 30) defined as spontaneous delivery before/<37 completed weeks of gestation and infants weighing < 2499g. Controls (FTNBW) were normal births at or after 37 weeks of gestation and infants weighing ≥ 2500 g. Data on periodontal status, pregnancy outcome variables, and information on other factors that may influence adverse pregnancy outcomes were collected within 2 days of labor. Data were subjected to Student‘s t–test and Pearson‘s correlation coefficient statistical analysis.

Results:

The statistical results proved a positive correlation between gestational age, low birth weight and clinical parameters. There was a statistically significant difference with respect to the gestational period at the time of delivery and birth weight of the infants in experimental (PTLBW) group (<0.001) as compared to control (FTNBW) group was observed. Overall, there was statistically significant poor periodontal status in the (PTLBW) group compared to (FTNBW) group.

Conclusion:

A positive co–relation was observed between periodontitis, gestational age, low birth weight and a positive correlation was found with respect to PTLBW and periodontitis.