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Birth Outcomes Are Not Influenced by Gum Disease

Premature delivery, low birth weight and other birth disorders are not triggered by periodontal disease

Nov 2, 2006 14:37 GMT  ·  By
  

Even if previous studies have linked periodontal disorders to birth problems such as pre-term delivery or low birth weight, a recent study carried out by a team of researchers at the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis showed that there is no link between gum disease and problems occurring during delivery. However, medical experts advise pregnant women to treat their periodontal infection, but stress that this disease has no influence on birth outcomes.

Periodontal disease is an inflammatory condition characterized by severe bacterial infections. The bacteria damage and sometimes destroy the gingival and surrounding tissues of the oral cavity. This can lead to teeth loss if it is left untreated. Periodontal disease is very common worldwide, with about 1 in 4 Americans suffering from the condition. The oral disease can be genetically inherited and it is also widely spread among people suffering of diabetes.

Study's lead author Dr. Bryan Michalowicz, Associated Professor in the Department of Developmental and Surgical Sciences at the University of Minnesota emphasized the fact that the considerably high number of preemies will not be decreased by treating periodontitis: "Periodontal therapy delivered between 13 and 21 weeks of pregnancy is safe and effective, but there's no evidence that it affects birth outcomes."

The study was conducted on 823 randomly chosen pregnant women between 13 an 21 pregnancy weeks who suffered from gum disease. Researchers divided moms-to-be into 2 groups: 413 who received treatment for periodontal disease and 410 who received no treatment.

Results showed that there was no difference in birth outcomes between women who had their periodontitis treated before delivery and women who still suffered from the disease when giving birth to their baby. 12% of women who no longer suffered from gum disease gave birth to preemies as compared to 12.8% of women with periodontitis; 12.7% of women in the treatment-group gave birth to low weight babies as compared to 12.3% of women who did not receive any treatment for the gum disorder.