HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

J Am Dent Assoc, Vol 132, No 7, 875-880. © 2001 American Dental Association

This Article Full Text Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by JEFFCOAT, M. K. Articles by HAUTH, J. C. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by JEFFCOAT, M. K. Articles by HAUTH, J. C. Related Collections Periodontics

COVER STORY
JADA Continuing Education

Results of a prospective study

Background. Previous studies have suggested that chronic periodontal infection may be associated with preterm births. The authors conducted a prospective study to test for this association.

Methods. A total of 1,313 pregnant women were recruited from the Perinatal Emphasis Research Center at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. Complete periodontal, medical and behavioral assessments were made between 21 and 24 weeks gestation. After delivery, medical records were consulted to determine each infant’s gestational age at birth. From these data, the authors calculated relationships between periodontal disease and preterm birth, while adjusting for smoking, parity (the state or fact of having born offspring), race and maternal age. Results were expressed as odds ratios and 95 percent confidence intervals, or CIs.

Results. Patients with severe or generalized periodontal disease had adjusted odds ratios (95 percent CI) of 4.45 (2.16–9.18) for preterm delivery (that is, before 37 weeks gestational age). The adjusted odds ratio increased with increasing prematurity to 5.28 (2.05–13.60) before 35 weeks’ gestational age and to 7.07 (1.70–27.4) before 32 weeks’ gestational age.

Conclusions. The authors’ data show an association between the presence of periodontitis at 21 to 24 weeks’ gestation and subsequent preterm birth. Further studies are needed to determine whether periodontitis is the cause.

Clinical Implications. While this large prospective study has shown a significant association between preterm birth and periodontitis at 21 to 24 weeks’ gestation, neither it nor other studies to date were designed to determine whether treatment of periodontitis will reduce the risk of preterm birth. Pending an answer to this important question, it remains appropriate to advise expectant mothers about the importance of good oral health.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				R. S. Wilder, K. M. Thomas, and H. Jared Periodontal-Systemic Disease Education in United States Dental Hygiene Programs J Dent Educ., June 1, 2008; 72(6): 669 - 679. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				K. A. Boggess and for the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine Public Maternal Oral Health in Pregnancy Obstet. Gynecol., April 1, 2008; 111(4): 976 - 986. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				M.V. Vettore, M. doC. Leal, A.T. Leao, A.M. M. da Silva, G.A. Lamarca, and A. Sheiham The Relationship between Periodontitis and Preterm Low Birthweight J. Dent. Res., January 1, 2008; 87(1): 73 - 78. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				Y. Turok, E. Hullah, R. Saha, and W. Yoong Dental manifestations of pregnancy Obstet Gynaecol (Lond), April 1, 2007; 9(2): 137 - 137. [Full Text] [PDF]

				M. Pirie, I. Cooke, G. Linden, and C. Irwin Dental manifestations of pregnancy Obstet Gynaecol (Lond), January 1, 2007; 9(1): 21 - 26. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				R. L. Goldenberg and J. F. Culhane Preterm Birth and Periodontal Disease N. Engl. J. Med., November 2, 2006; 355(18): 1925 - 1927. [Full Text] [PDF]

				Y. W. Han, A. Ikegami, N. F. Bissada, M. Herbst, R. W. Redline, and G. G. Ashmead Transmission of an Uncultivated Bergeyella Strain from the Oral Cavity to Amniotic Fluid in a Case of Preterm Birth J. Clin. Microbiol., April 1, 2006; 44(4): 1475 - 1483. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				Y. Lee, L.H. Straffon, K.B. Welch, and W.J. Loesche The Transmission of Anaerobic Periodontopathic Organisms J. Dent. Res., February 1, 2006; 85(2): 182 - 186. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				S. Offenbacher, K. A. Boggess, A. P. Murtha, H. L. Jared, S. Lieff, R. G. McKaig, S. M. Mauriello, K. L. Moss, and J. D. Beck Progressive Periodontal Disease and Risk of Very Preterm Delivery Obstet. Gynecol., January 1, 2006; 107(1): 29 - 36. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				P.S. Rajapakse, M. Nagarathne, K.B. Chandrasekra, and A.P. Dasanayake Periodontal Disease and Prematurity among Non-smoking Sri Lankan Women J. Dent. Res., March 1, 2005; 84(3): 274 - 277. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				R. L. Goldenberg and J. F. Culhane Prepregnancy Health Status and the Risk of Preterm Delivery Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med, January 1, 2005; 159(1): 89 - 90. [Full Text] [PDF]

				A. R. Goepfert, M. K. Jeffcoat, W. W. Andrews, O. Faye-Petersen, S. P. Cliver, R. L. Goldenberg, and J. C. Hauth Periodontal Disease and Upper Genital Tract Inflammation in Early Spontaneous Preterm Birth Obstet. Gynecol., October 1, 2004; 104(4): 777 - 783. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				M. T. Lydon-Rochelle, P. Krakowiak, P. P. Hujoel, and R. M. Peters Dental Care Use and Self-Reported Dental Problems in Relation to Pregnancy Am J Public Health, May 1, 2004; 94(5): 765 - 771. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				K. A. Boggess, S. Lieff, A. P. Murtha, K. Moss, J. Beck, and S. Offenbacher Maternal Periodontal Disease Is Associated With an Increased Risk for Preeclampsia Obstet. Gynecol., February 1, 2003; 101(2): 227 - 231. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				N.J. Lopez, P.C Smith, and J. Gutierrez Higher Risk of Preterm Birth and Low Birth Weight in Women with Periodontal Disease J. Dent. Res., January 1, 2002; 81(1): 58 - 63. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]