Relationship Among Mothers' Glycemic Level, Periodontitis, and Birth Weight.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study is to determine the influence of glycemic level on the relationship between periodontitis and low birth weight (LBW). METHODS: A case-control study was conducted with 372 females divided into cases (109 mothers of newborns with birth weight < 2,500 g) and controls (263 mothers of newborns with birth weight ≥ 2,500 g). The birth weight of children was obtained from medical records, whereas information on sociodemographic, lifestyle, and health characteristics of the participants was obtained through an interview. Glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) levels were measured, and probing depth, clinical attachment levels, and bleeding on probing were used to determine the periodontal status. Results were analyzed using logistic regression. RESULTS: The likelihood of having children with LBW among the mothers with periodontitis was six times greater than that observed among mothers without periodontitis (adjusted odds ratio [OR adjusted] = 6.02, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 2.47 to 15.17), even after adjustment. There was also a strong, statistically significant relationship between periodontitis and LBW in both the normal glycemic-level group (HbA1c levels < 5.6%, unadjusted odds ratio [OR unadjusted] = 8.30, 95% CI = 3.56 to 19.35) and the high glycemic-level group (HbA1c levels ≥ 5.6% and < 6.5%, OR unadjusted = 5.73, 95% CI = 1.75 to 18.70). After adjustment for confounders, the magnitude of the association continued to be strong in the normal glycemic-level group (OR adjusted = 7.59, 95% CI = 2.7 to 24.28), an increase of 25% when compared to the main association measurement. In those with high glycemic levels (OR adjusted = 4.03, 95% CI = 0.81 to 19.96), the OR decreased almost 50%, and the association lost statistical significance. CONCLUSION: Periodontitis and glycemic levels appeared to have opposing influences on birth weight, with periodontitis being associated with LBW and the magnitude of the association being altered depending on maternal blood glucose level.

Periodontal therapy and low birth weight: preliminary results from an alternative methodologic strategy.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study is to present the use of a non-randomized experimental design with multiple controls, with emphasis on a historical control group, as an alternative methodologic resource for studies on the association between periodontal disease and prematurity/low birth weight. METHODS: The sample consisted of 234 pregnant women: 54 in the Test Group (treatment of periodontal disease); 68 in Control Group I (without periodontal disease); and 112 in Control Group II (historical control group, with untreated periodontal disease). The diagnosis of periodontal disease was established by means of a complete clinical examination, using measurements of probing depth, gingival recession, clinical attachment loss, and bleeding index. The women in the Test Group were treated for periodontitis and followed-up with periodontal support therapy throughout their pregnancies. After delivery, they were reevaluated regarding their periodontal condition, and information on the newborn's birth weight was obtained. This was also done for Control Groups I and II. Descriptive analyses on the study variables were performed using the χ(2) and Fisher exact tests. Association measurements (relative risk) were obtained using a significance level of 5%. RESULTS: The frequency of low birth weight among the Test Group was similar to Control Group I and lower than Control Group II. CONCLUSION: The results suggest that successful periodontal therapy in pregnant women suffering from periodontitis is a protective factor promoting the birth of children with normal weight.