Assessing the association between periodontitis and preterm low birth weight: A case control study

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Abstract Background Premature deliveries are the main causes of prenatal and infant mortality and morbidity in developed societies and is an important problem in obstetrics. Maternal periodontitis is a very prevalent condition that has suspected to be associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes like preterm birth and low birth weight. However, there are still conflicting results and this study have been done to determine the association between periodontitis and preterm low birth weight in order to get necessary information that will enable us to improve mothers’ and children’s health by recommending the screening tool to be used by nurses and midwives to screen for periodontal diseases during antenatal consultations. Methods A case control study was done on 555 women on post-partum period. This case control was in ratio of 1:2; 1 case of preterm and low birth weight to 2 controls. There were 185 cases with preterm deliveries/ gestation age < 37 weeks and low birth weight / weight < 2500 g and 370 controls with term delivery/ gestation age of above or equal to 37 weeks and normal birth weight babies 2500 g and above. Multivariate regression analysis was done and the variables were hierarchically grouped into three groups: first categories of demographic variables were put in the regression model as step 1. Second category were other potential factors were put in regression model as the second step. The third category or the third step of regression model, the researcher put periodontitis as it was hypothesized a major predictor variable. Results Significant association was found between periodontitis and preterm low birth weight; women who had periodontitis had 6 times the odds of giving birth to preterm low birth weight babies compared to women who had no periodontitis (p < 0.001) (95% CI 3.9, 10.4). Conclusion Periodontitis is a risk factor for preterm low birth weight and preventive solutions like having a periodontitis screening tool for nurses and midwives during antenatal care consultations are highly recommended.

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