ABSTRACT
This paper addresses the problem of adverse pregnancy outcome in relation to periodontal disease. There is compelling evidence that a link exists between pre-term low birth weight (PLBW) and periodontitis. Although 25% to 50% of PLBW deliveries occur without any known aetiology, there is increasing evidence that infection may play a significant role in pre-term delivery. A model explaining the plausible relationship is proposed based upon the concept of infection leading to a cascade of inflammatory reactions associated with pre-term labour and periodontal disease. Current evidence has pointed to an interest in dental intervention studies to control periodontal disease as one of the potential strategies to reduce pre-term labour. This paper reviews the potential association between periodontal infection and adverse pregnancy outcomes.
Recently, the impact of periodontal disease on adverse pregnancy outcome has received much attention. Pre-term low birth weight (PLBW) is a problem encountered in most world communities at varying levels of prevalence. The problems of PLBWs have considerable repercussions in terms of medical financial resources, mortality and increased susceptibility to certain medical complications in the individuals concerned. While various factors have been found to predispose mothers to PLBW deliveries, the inability of medical intervention to resolve such occurrences is probably due to presence of other unidentified contributing factors.1
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