Periodontitis in Pregnancy and its Impact on Neonatal & Maternal Outcomes in Low Socioeconomic Position - A Retrospective Cohort Study

Abstract

Objective: Our study objectives were to investigate the detection of periodontitis during last trimester of pregnancy women and its impact on pregnancy outcomes (neonatal and maternal).

Study Design: This retrospective cohort study

Place and Duration of Study: This study was conducted at the department of Gynecology & obstetrics and Pediatrics at PMC hospital, Nawabshah from January 2023 to June 2023.

Methods: Periodontitis was observed as risk factor and its effects were seen on neonatal and maternal outcome. We determined the frequency of periodontitis in pregnant women in low socioeconomic population and its impact on pregnancy outcomes. A total of 250 pregnant women were enrolled in our study out of them 77 were with periodontal disease were selected as the cases (cohorts), whereas the control group consisted of 173 pregnant women who had normal periodontal health during their pregnancy.

Results: The frequency of periodontitis in low socioeconomic pregnant women was 77 (30.8%) out of 250 participants and 173 (69.2%) were disease free under study. 38.9% participants had adverse neonatal health outcome compared to controls with 17.9% with statistically significant correlation between adverse neonatal outcome with maternal periodontitis (p-value 0.001 and OR 1.91). 31.2% participants had adverse maternal health outcome compared to controls with 11.0% with statistically significant correlation between adverse maternal health outcome with maternal periodontitis (p-value 0.012 and OR 2.17). The numbers of adverse pregnancy outcomes in the cases (study group) was observed and there were significant association between periodontitis and pregnancy outcome as compared to controls like amniotic fluid contamination (OR 1.5), maternal infections (OR 1.12), low birth weight deliveries (OR 2.02), preterm deliveries (OR 1.8), neonatal Infection / Sepsis (OR 1.6), adverse neonatal outcome (prolonged hospital stay) (OR 1.91) and adverse maternal outcome (prolonged hospital stay) (OR 2.17) compared to control groups.

Conclusion: Periodontal disease in pregnant women can lead to perinatal infection to both mother and newborn. It is essential for pregnant women to prioritize oral health, as untreated periodontitis may have potential adverse effects on both maternal and fetal health. Timely treatment and preventive measures can reduce the risk of complications and support a healthy pregnancy.