Evaluation of Association between Maternal Periodontal Disease and Infant Preterm Low Birth Weight: A Case Control Study

Primiparous women, aged 18-35 years were selected randomly from different medical college hospitals in Bangalore city, India to find out association if any between maternal periodontal disease and infant preterm low birth weight (PLBW). Case were defined as those mothers who delivered an infant weighing under 2500 g and born before 37 weeks gestation and control mothers as those who delivered an infant weighing equal to or more than 2500 g and born after 37 weeks gestation. The clinical examination included recording of pocket depth and loss of attachment. Appropriate statistical tests such as Chi-square, Fisher Exact test, Student’s t test were used to analyze the data. The control group had statistically more number of healthy sextants [Community Periodontal Index Score 0 was 0.63 ± 1.25] when compared to the PLBW group [0.01 ± 0.11]. The mean numbers of sextants with periodontal pocket depth of 4-5 mm and 6 mm or more were significantly higher in the PLBW mothers [1.87 ± 1.38], [1.32 ± 1.53] when compared to the control group [0.81 ± 1.06], [0.25 ± 1.74]. Multiple logistic regression analysis after considering the variables simultaneously, the risk factors for preterm low birth weight were body mass index (p<0.001, odds ratio 0.83), lack of prenatal care prior to 20 weeks of gestational age (p=0.013,odds ratio 0.14), loss of attachment scores of 6-8 mm and 9 mm or more (p=0.004, 0.003 and odds ratio of 10.21 and 44.25 respectively). Present study suggests that maternal periodontal disease is a potential independent risk factor for PLBW.