Periodontal Infections in Pregnancy: A Risk Factor for the Newborn-An Epidemiological and Microbiological Study Kodoth Jayaprasad1, Kudva Shailesh2,*, Radhan Dhanya3 1Principal and Professor & Head, Department of Periodontics, Century Dental College, Poinachi, Kasaragod, Kerala State 2Professor and Head, Department of Oral & Maxillofacial Pathology, Srinivas Dental College, Mangalore, Karnataka 3Post Graduate, Dept of Endodontics, College of Dental Sciences, Mangalore, Karnataka *Corresponding author: Shailesh Kudva Professor and Head, Department of Oral & Maxillofacial Pathology, Srinivas Dental College, Mangalore, Karnataka 575003 Mobile no: 9448470228
Online published on 7 March, 2016. Abstract Preterm infants with below average bodyweight represent a major social and economic public health problem in developed countries and possess a threat of greater magnitude in developing countries. Preterm birth cases are defined as newly borns weighing less than 2500 gms and/or gestational period less than 37 weeks. The periodontal infection in pregnancy is considered as a significant risk factor for preterm and/or premature babies. In the present study, a clinical oral examination was done on pregnant and postpartum mothers. A full mouth periodontal examination was performed on all the patients selected. Subjects of the study were divided broadly into two groups depending upon the gestation period during delivery and body-weight of their new born. The control group had mothers with normal body-weight babies and the case study group had mothers with preterm below average body-weight babies. The final results were statistically analysed and significance evaluated. Majority of mothers with preterm below avereage body weight babies were found to have established periodontitis. Top Keywords Periodontal infection, pregnancy, preterm, low birth weight. Top |