Pregnancy periodontitis and low birth weight: A cohort study in rural Belgaum, India

• Main Authors: Murthy S, Mubashir A, Kodkany BS, Mallapur MD
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Makhdoomi Printers 2012-07-01
• Series: Global Journal of Medicine and Public Health
• Subjects: Periodontitis; pregnancy; low birth weight; oral health status; India
• Online Access: http://www.gjmedph.org/uploads/o9-Vo1No4.pdf

Background: Low birth weight can cause devastating long term medical and economical impacts to the family as whole and much interest prevails in preventing LBW by controlling its potential risk factors. Pregnancy periodontitis, being reported as one of such risk factors, is amenable to prevention, control and cure. Confirmative evidence can bring drastic improvements in birth weight and also health of the mother. This cohort study was an attempt to find if such a relation exists since limited conclusive evidence is available. Objectives: To determine the relation between pregnancy periodontitis and low birth weight of newborn in primigravida women in rural Belgaum. To assess the oral health status of the same primigravida women in rural Belgaum. Materials & Methods: Study Design & Period: A cohort study for 18 months Study location: 3 rural field areas of JNMC (Handiganur, Kinaye and Vantamuri) in Belgaum. Study Population: Primigravida women in the 3 villages in their first trimester in January/February 2011 during enrolment and expected to deliver in August/September 2011. Sample Size: 240 (120 in each cohort). Data Collection: After ethical review, a pilot study was conducted on 10% of study population in each village to essentially pre-test the interview schedule. Then screening visit to enrol women based on eligibility criteria was done. Subsequent screening periodontal examination was done by CPI to allocate the women into study (pregnant women with periodontitis) and control (pregnant women without periodontitis) cohort. Oral health status was also recorded using OHI-S and DMFT indices. Follow up visits consisted of trimester-wise visit to check on periodontal status and a post delivery visit to record term of delivery and LBW. Data was entered in Microsoft Excel 2007 and SPSS (β version 20) and analyzed in in proportions, percentages, Odds Ratio, Relative Risk, Chi-Square test and Logistic Regression Analysis.Results: The total incidence of LBW was 15% (22.5% in study cohort, 7.5% in control cohort). Incidence of PTB was 17.5%. 33.3% of PTB had LBW, while only 11.1% of term deliveries had LBW. Preterm birth (aOR=3.266; 1.384–7.704,p<.05), pregnancy periodontitis (aOR=2.403;1.1011-5.712,p<.05), anaemia (aOR=2.746;1.212-6.222,p<0.5) were significantly associated with LBW. Two thirds of study population had fair oral hygiene. Half of study population had dental caries while majority did not have filled or missing teeth. Conclusion: Preterm birth, pregnancy periodontitis and anaemia were found to be independent risk factors for LBW. This is importance because periodontal disease is a factor amenable to prevention and cure. Simple regular oral hygiene practices during pregnancy can effectively control and prevent periodontal disease, and possibility of low birth weight.