Periodontal Status in Mothers with Preterm Labor and Low Birth Weight Infants in Comparison to Mothers with Term Labor and Normal Birth Weight Infants

Background: The recent studies have shown that periodontal disease as infectious disease can
be effective on systemic condition like length of pregnancy and birth weight. In this study we have
compared the periodontal status in women that had preterm labor (<37 week) or their Infants
weight was less than 2500gr with women who were in term labor and normal birth weight.
Materials and Methods: In this case – control study, postpartum women that were taking
routine care in Ali Ebne Abitaleb Hospital were examined. There were 55 mothers with preterm
labor or low birth weight in investigation group and 55 mothers with term labor and normal birth
weight infants in control group. Periodontal parameters including PD, AL, BOP and GR were
assessed.
Results: The Mean±SD of PD in case group was 2.87±0.43 mm and in control group was
2.73±0.49 mm. The Mean±SD of AL in case group was 3.56±0.47mm and in control group was
3.46±0.44mm. The patients in case group that have 2-4 or 4-6 sites for BOP were more than control
group. The patients in control group that have 1-2 sites for BOP were more than case group.
Conclusion: Periodontal parameters in the case group were more than control group, but the
difference was not statically significant. More prospective studies with larger sample sizes are
recommended.