The association between periodontal disease and adverse pregnancy outcomes in Northern Tanzania: a cross-sectional study

Abstract

Background

For the past two decades, studies have investigated the relationship between periodontal disease and adverse pregnancy outcomes such as pre-eclampsia, preterm birth, low birth weight and preterm premature rupture of membranes.

Objectives

To determine the prevalence of periodontal disease and associated adverse pregnancy outcomes among women delivering at the Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Centre (KCMC).

Methods

This cross-sectional study was based on the use of patients' files, clinical examinations and oral interviews with mothers who delivered at the KCMC. Pregnant women with singleton babies (N=1117) who delivered at the KCMC were recruited for the study. Intra-oral examination was performed within five days of birth. The Community Periodontal Index was used to assess periodontal disease

Results

The prevalence of periodontal disease was 14.2%. Periodontal disease was significantly associated with higher odds of pre-eclampsia [adjusted Odds Ratio 95% Confidence Interval (aOR=4.12;95%CI:2.20–7.90)], low birth weight (aOR=2.41;95%-CI:1.34–4.33) and preterm birth (aOR=2.32;95%CI:1.33–4.27). There was no significant association between periodontal disease and preterm premature rupture of membranes (aORs 1.83;95%CI:0.75–4.21) and eclampsia (3.71;95%CI:0.80–17.13).

Conclusion

Maternal periodontal disease is a potential independent risk indicator for pre-eclampsia, low birth weight, and preterm birth. Periodontal assessment and therapy should form part of the preventive antenatal care provided to women in developing countries.

Introduction

Adverse pregnancy outcomes such as pre-eclampsia (PE), eclampsia, preterm premature rupture of membranes (pPROM), preterm birth (PTB) and low birth weight (LBW) are all associated with maternal and neonatal morbidity and mortality. These outcomes also represent a serious public health problem. Maternal periodontal disease can adversely affect pregnancy, by causing bacteria and inflammatory mediators to spread from the oral cavity to the fetal placental unit via the blood¹.

The American Academy of Periodontology defines periodontal disease as an inflammatory disease that affects the soft and hard structures supporting the teeth². In the early stage of the disease, which is known as gingivitis, the gums become swollen and red due to inflammation, which is the body's natural response to the presence of harmful bacteria. In the more serious form of periodontal disease, called periodontitis, the gums pull away from the tooth and the supporting gum tissues are destroyed². Periodontitis is principally caused by Gram-negative anaerobic bacteria, which raise local and systemic levels of pro-inflammatory mediators³.

The prevalence of periodontal disease varies depending on the population studied and the definition used. For example, in industrialized areas it affects between 20% and 50% of pregnant women^4,5. The World Bank Country classification defines the United Republic of Tanzania as a low-income economy⁶. A systematic review and meta regression of the global burden of severe periodontitis calculated its prevalence in Tanzania to be 20%⁷. In Africa, and specifically in Tanzania, data on periodontal health in pregnancy are limited. However, one study in a rural population in Uganda reported 67% prevalence of periodontal disease among pregnant women⁸.

At the 1996 World Workshop in Periodontics, the term “periodontal medicine” was introduced to define a discipline focused on the evaluation of the two-way relationship between the fields. Periodontal disease can have a major impact on individual systemic health, and in turn systemic diseases may influence periodontal health as well⁹.

Gingivitis and periodontitis usually involve active chronic infections which may increase the risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes such as PTB, LBW, pPROM and PE. The presence of a large ulcerated epithelium surface in periodontal pockets allows bacteria and their products to reach other parts of the body, causing lesions at different levels. Certain bacteria such as Porphyromona gingivalis and Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans may even invade cells and tissues directly^10–12. Periodontal bacteria in pregnant women with periodontitis may induce the cascade of immuno-inflammatory mediators such as PGE2, IL-6, IL-1, and TNF-α which may be implicated in adverse pregnancy outcomes^4,13.

In periodontitis, periodontal pathogens or by-products may reach the placenta and spread to the fetal circulation and amniotic fluid. Their presence in the fetal-placental compartment can stimulate a fetal immune/inflammatory response characterized by the production of IgM antibodies against the pathogens and the secretion of elevated levels of inflammatory mediators, which in turn may cause miscarriage or premature birth. Moreover, infection/inflammation may cause placental structural changes leading to pre-eclampsia and impaired nutrient support, thus reducing birth weight. Fetal exposure may also result in tissue damage and increase the risk of perinatal morbidity and mortality¹⁴.

The international definition of low birth weight is a weight “below 2500g” regardless of gestational age. Weights below 1500g are considered very low (VLBW) and weights below 1000g as extremely low (ELBW)¹⁵. In Tanzania, a birth weight less than 1000g is considered as an abortion, as the fetus is non-viable.

Preterm or premature birth (PTB) is usually defined as a gestational age of less than 37 completed weeks. Preterm premature rupture of membranes (pPROM) is defined as rupture of the fetal membranes before the onset of labour and prior to 37 weeks of gestation¹⁰. From the epidemiological perspective, the incidence of PTB reported in the literature varies, because it is a multifactorial problem influenced by geographical and socio-economic factors, racial characteristics, age, and quality of prenatal care. PTB occurs in approximately 8–10% of pregnancies in developed countries but this figure may be as high as 43% in parts of the developing world. Unfortunately, preterm birth and low birth weight rates are also high elsewhere: Europe 4 to 12%, Asia 15%, Africa 10 to 12%, Australia 6% and North America 7%¹⁶.

Pre-eclampsia is a multi-factorial inflammatory disorder that is a major cause of maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality. The syndrome is characterised by inappropriate inflammatory and abnormal vascular response to placentation which causes endothelial dysfunction, resulting in maternal hypertension during pregnancy³.

Several studies have explored the relationship between periodontal health status and adverse pregnancy outcomes such as PTB, LBW, PE and pPROM. However most of these studies have focused almost exclusively on PTB and LBW in relation to systemic maternal infections. The aim of our study was to determine the prevalence of periodontal disease among pregnant women in Northern Tanzania, and to analyse its possible association with these adverse pregnancy outcomes.

Methods

Study design

We performed a cross-sectional study of all pregnant women delivering at the Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Center (KCMC) in Moshi, Northern Tanzania, between September 2015 and April 2016. The KCMC is a zonal consultant and university teaching hospital serving the local community and referred cases from six regions in Northern Tanzania. These include Kilimanjaro, Arusha, Manyara, Tanga, Singida and Dodoma with approximately 15 million inhabitants. The Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology (KCMC Birth Medical Registry 2012) provides birth care services to pregnant women from the nearby communities as well as referral cases from other regions. It has an average of 3,300 deliveries per year.

Study subjects

This study included all pregnant women (n=1117) delivering at the KCMC labour ward, aged from 18 to 46 years, with singleton intrauterine fetuses of a gestational age between 28 and 42 weeks. Multiple gestations, women with any systemic infection apart from periodontitis, and those who lacked the number of teeth necessary to register the Community Periodontal Index (CPI) were excluded. Study participants were recruited at the time of admission to the labour and delivery area^17,18. They all provided signed consent and their information was gathered together using a structured questionnaire, where their sociodemographic characteristics, previous obstetric history and the index pregnancy information were recorded. Periodontal examination was performed within five days of delivery by the same obstetrician (NG), who had received training in oral examination from a senior researcher in periodontics (JMR). The intraexaminer calibration was followed by assessments of the clinician's ability over a three-month period prior to the start of the study¹⁹.

Clinical periodontal examination was done using the epidemiological section of the Community Periodontal Index of Treatment Needs known as the Community Periodontal Index (CPI)¹⁷. In each participant, ten teeth were assessed (17, 16, 11, 26, 27, 47, 46, 31, 36, 37) using a standard periodontal probe (Michigan 8/11, Hu-Friedy, and Chicago, IL, USA). The probing depth involved three measurements in mesial-medial-distal for buccal surfaces and lingual-palatal surfaces respectively. The CPI scoring criteria were defined as follows: 0 = no periodontal disease; 1 = bleeding on probing; probing depth ≤ 3mm; 2 = calculus with plaque seen or felt by probing; 3 = pathological pocket > 3mm and < 6mm, and 4 = pathological pocket ≥ 6mm; thus, a score of 0 meant no periodontal disease, 1 – 2 gingivitis and 3 – 4 periodontitis. Assessment of gingival recession included only one measurement in medial for buccal and lingual-palatal surfaces²⁰. Dental mobility was classified as grade I, II, or III. Other parameters such as gingival enlargement²¹, were also considered.

Measurements

In this study the outcome variables were pPROM, PE/eclampsia, PTB and LBW, while periodontal disease (PD) was the main exposure of interest. Other variables such as age, marital status, level of education, height, weight, body mass index, cigarette smoking, alcohol consumption, previous history of pPROM, LBW, PE, PTB, HIV status, urinalysis, VDRL, blood group and Rh factor, haemoglobin level, blood slide for malaria parasite/malaria rapid diagnostic test gestation age at delivery, birth weight, mode of delivery, number of teeth, and tooth mobility were also assessed as co-variates.

Statistical analysis

Data were analysed using SPSS version 20. Descriptive statistics were summarized using mean and SD for continuous variables while frequency and proportions were used for categorical variables. Odds ratios (OR) with 95% Confidence Intervals (CI) for the adverse pregnant outcomes associated with periodontal disease were estimated using a multivariable logistic model. A p-value of less than 0.05 (2-tailed) was considered statistically significant.

Results

A total of 1,117 participants were eligible and were enrolled in the study. Their demographic characteristics are shown in Table 1. Mean age was 28.5 years (SD ± 5.9), 568 (50.9%) were aged between 26 and 35 years, 435 (38.9%) attained post-secondary school education, and 1005 (90%) were married. The vast majority 967 (86.6%) were between parity 1 and parity 3, 150 (13.4%) had parity >3, and mean parity was 2 (SD ± 1). One thousand and four (89.9%) had between one and three living children; 63.1% gave birth via vaginal delivery, 35.3% by cesarean section, 1.1% by vacuum and 0.5% by assisted breech. Mean gestation age at birth was 39.0 weeks (SD ± 2.3, 28.0–44.0), with preterm delivery accounting for 9.8% (n=110); 897 (80.3%) were term deliveries, and 110 (9.8%) were post-term; 123 (11.0%) were LBW, 84.2% were normal birth weight (>2.5kg to <4kg) and 4.7% were overweight (>4kg).

Table 1.

Characteristics of study participants (N = 1117)

Variable	n	(%)
Age (years):
18 – 25	383	(34.3)
26 – 35	568	(50.9)
36 – 46	166	(14.9)
Mean (±SD)	28.5	(±5.9)
Level of education:
No formal education	15	(1.3)
Primary	416	(37.2)
Secondary	251	(22.5)
Post-secondary	435	(38.9)
Marital status:
Never married	112	(10.0)
Ever married	1005	(90.0)
Parity:
1 – 3	967	(86.6)
More than 3	150	(13.4)
Mean (±SD)	2	(±1)
Number of living children:
1 – 3	1004	(89.9)
More than 3	113	(10.1)
Mean (±SD)	2	(±1, 0–11)
Body Mass Index (kg/m2):
Underweight	43	(3.8)
Normal	605	(54.2)
Overweight	320	(28.6)
Obese	149	(13.3)
Mean (±SD)	24.9	(±4.4)
Blood pressure (mmHg):
Normal	1014	(90.8)
High	103	(9.2)
First antenatal visit (weeks) (n=1110):
Up to 14	281	(25.3)
More than 14	829	(74.7)
Mean (±SD)	17.9	(±5.3)
Mode of delivery:
Spontaneous vaginal	705	(63.1)
Caesarian section	394	(35.3)
Vacuum extraction	12	(1.1)
Assisted breach	6	(0.5)
Alcohol consumption:
Yes	208	(18.6)
No	909	(81.4)

The prevalence of periodontal disease was 14.2% (n=159); however, severe periodontitis (grade 4) was found in only 5.0% of this group. The characteristics of study participants and the presence of periodontal disease are shown in Table 2.

Table 2.

Characteristics of postpartum mothers and presence of periodontal disease (n = 1117)

Variable	Total	Presence of periodontal disease		OR (95% CI)	p-value
		Present	Absent
		n (%)	n (%)
		Age (years):						MD (95% CI)
Mean (SD)		30.0 (6.6)	28.2 (5.7)	1.8 (0.8–2.7)	0.001
18 – 25	383	50 (13.1)	333 (86.9)	1.0
26 – 35	568	69 (12.1)	499 (87.9)	0.9 (0.6–1.4)	0.679
36 – 46	168	40 (24.1)	126 (75.9)	2.1 (1.3–3.4)	0.001
Level of education:
No formal education	15	4 (26.7)	11 (73.3)	1.0
Primary	416	74 (17.8)	342 (82.2)	0.6 (0.2–1.9)	0.491*
Secondary	251	34 (13.5)	217 (86.5)	0.4 (0.1–1.4)	0.243*
Post-secondary	435	47 (10.8)	388 (89.2)	0.3 (0.1–1.1)	0.078*
Marital status:
Never married	112	13 (11.6)	99 (88.4)
Ever married	1005	146 (14.5)	859 (85.5)	0.8 (0.4–1.4)	0.401
Body mass index (kg/m2):
Underweight	43	6 (14.0)	37 (86.0)	1.0
Normal	605	86 (14.2)	519 (85.8)	1.0 (0.4–2.5)	0.962
Overweight	320	45 (14.1)	275 (85.9)	1.0 (0.4–2.5)	0.985
Obese	149	22 (14.8)	127 (85.2)	1.1 (0.4–2.8)	0.895
Parity:
1 – 3	967	123 (12.7)	844 (87.3)	0.5 (0.3–0.7)	<0.001
More than 3	150	36 (24.0)	114 (76.0)	1.0
Known HIV status (n=1114)
Positive	29	6 (20.7)	23 (79.3)
Negative	1085	151 (13.9)	934 (86.1)	1.6 (0.6–4.0)	0.301
Alcohol consumption:
Yes	208	30 (14.4)	178 (85.6)	1.0
No	909	129 (14.2)	780 (85.8)	1.0 (0.7–1.6)	0.931

MD=Mean Difference;

^*Fisher Exact p-value

With reference to the distribution of periodontal disease, adjusted for the age of the sample, women aged 36 to 46 years had a 2.1-times higher odds of periodontal disease [Odds Ratio 95% Confidence Interval (OR = 2.1; 95% CI: 1.30–3.40)] compared with the youngest group (18 to 25 years). When parity was compared, the odds of having periodontal disease in the 1 – 3 parity group was half that recorded in women with higher parity (OR = 0.5; 95% CI: 0.30–0.70). Other variables such as level of education, marital status, HIV status, body mass index and alcohol consumption did not influence the occurrence of periodontal disease (Table 2).

Adverse maternal outcomes and their associations with PD are summarized in Table 3. Postpartum women with PD at delivery had a 3.4 higher odds of pre-eclampsia than women without (OR = 3.4; 95% CI: 2.20–5.40). In contrast, there was no statistically significant association between PD and eclampsia, preterm premature rupture of membranes or term rupture

Table 3.

Adverse maternal outcome associated with periodontal disease (N = 1117)

Outcome	Total	Periodontal disease		OR (95% CI)	p-value
		Present	Absent
		n (%)	n (%)
		Pre-eclampsia
Yes	101	33 (32.7)	68 (67.3)
No	1016	126 (12.4)	890 (87.6)	3.4 (2.2–5.4)	<0.001
Eclampsia
Yes	16	5 (31.2)	11 (68.8)
No	1101	154 (14.0)	947 (86.0)	2.8 (1.0–8.2)	0.050
Severity of pre- eclampsia (n=101):
Mild	39	9 (23.1)	30 (76.9)
Severe	62	24 (38.7)	38 (61.3)	0.5 (0.2–1.2)	0.103
Pre-term premature rupture of membranes (n=110):
Yes	26	9 (34.6)	17 (65.4)
No	84	22 (26.2)	62 (73.8)	1.5 (0.6–3.8)	0.404

Adverse fetal outcomes and their association with PD are summarized in Table 4. Women shown to have had PD at delivery had a 2.6 higher odds of delivering children with LBW (<2.5 kg) than women without PD (OR = 2.6; 95% CI: 1.70–4.00). When gestation age at delivery was analysed, mothers with PD were significantly (2.7 times) more likely to deliver before term (<37 weeks gestation) than mothers without PD (OR = 2.7; 95% CI: 1.70–4.20). Crude analysis for the main variables was performed using logistic regression with cut off points for maternal/neonatal characteristics, and the significant associations were entered in the final model (Table 5).

Table 4.

Adverse fetal outcome associated with periodontal disease (N = 1117)

Outcome	Total	Periodontal disease		OR (95% CI)	p-value
		Present	Absent
		n (%)	n (%)
		Gestational age at delivery (weeks):
Term/ postdate	1007	128 (12.7)	879 (87.3)
Preterm	110	31 (28.2)	79 (71.8)	2.7 (1.7–4.2)	<0.001
Birth-weight (kg):
Mean (SD)	1117	2.9 (0.7)	3.1 (0.6)	−0.2 [(−0.3 – (−0.1)]	<0.001
Normal	941	122 (13.0)	819 (87.0)	1.0
Low birthweight	123	34 (27.6)	89 (72.4)	2.6 (1.7–4.0)	<0.001
Overweight	53	3 (5.7)	50 (94.3)	0.4 (0.1–1.3)	0.138*

^*Fisher Exact p-value

Table 5.

Adjusted odds ratio of maternal and neonatal characteristics and presence of periodontal disease (N = 1117)

VARIABLE	COR (95%CI)	AOR (95%CI)
Pre-eclampsia at delivery1,2	3.43 (2.23–5.41)	4.12(2.20–7.90)
Preterm premature rupture of membranes1,2	2.62 (1.45–5.01)	1.83 (0.75–4.21)
Eclampsia1,2	2.85 (1.05–8.25)	3.71 (0.80–17.13)
Low birthweight (<2500g)1,2,3	2.69 (1.74–4.27)	2.41 (1.34–4.33)
Pre-term birth (gestation age < 37 weeks)1,2,4	2.69 (1.71–4.25)	2.32 (1.33–4.27)

_COR: Crude Odds Ratio; _AOR: Adjusted Odds Ratio; (95%CI): 95% Confidence Interval;

¹adjusted for age, parity

²adjusted for the same adverse fetal outcome

³adjusted for previous low birth weight and pre-eclampsia

⁴adjusted for previous preterm birth and pre-eclampsia

As regards the relationship between PD and adverse maternal outcomes PE/eclampsia and pPROM, after adjustment for age, parity, and previous history of these events the association with PE was significantly higher in women with PD adjusted Odds Ratio 95% Confidence Interval (aOR = 4.12; 95% CI: 2.20–7.90), but it was not statistically significant for pPROM and eclampsia which presented aORs of 1.83; 95% CI: 0.75–4.21) and (3.71; 95% CI: 0.80–17.13)respectively. As for the association between PD and adverse fetal outcomes, after adjustment for age, parity, and previous history the aORs were (2.41; 95% CI: 1.34–4.33) for LBW and (2.32; 95% CI: 1.33–4.27) for PTB and were statistically significant in both cases.

Discussion

Periodontal disease has been associated with certain adverse pregnancy outcomes such as LBW, PTB, pPROM and PE. Our principal findings indicate that maternal periodontal disease is a potential independent risk indicator for pre-eclampsia, low birth weight and preterm birth. Modelled estimates for Tanzania suggest that 23% of newborn deaths are due to complications of PTB. Eighty-six per cent of newborn deaths are also LBW, many of which are PTB²². Maternal systemic infections can elicit an inflammatory response that results in inflammation of the maternal-fetal-placental unit including the uterus, chorioamniotic membranes, placenta, amniotic fluid, fetal lungs and circulation. These inflammatory stimuli induce hyper-irritability of the smooth muscle of the uterus, enhancing contractility, cervical thinning and cervical dilatation, and may thus trigger preterm labour^4,23,24. For its part, maternal periodontal disease can adversely affect pregnancy by causing bacteria and inflammatory mediators to spread from the oral cavity to the fetal placental unit via the blood.¹

In Tanzania, there is no epidemiological data regarding periodontal disease in pregnant women. One of the strengths of our study is the sample size: more than 1100 pregnant women were included, of whom 14.2% presented with periodontal disease. The prevalence was strongly influenced by older age and parity above 3. These results are in agreement with a study in Brazil which found a prevalence of 11%²⁵, but other authors have reported higher rates of PD among pregnant women^3,12,26,27.

The associations found in our study between lower rates of PD, age under 35 and parity of 1 – 3 are probably due to the higher levels of education in the younger population and the study setting. Our study was carried out at a tertiary teaching hospital in an area where most of the community lives in an urban setting, a fact which may have influenced the results of the study: well-educated individuals in urban environments are likely to have a better understanding of the need for good oral hygiene and have a lower risk of developing periodontal disease. Other studies have associated the prevalence of periodontal disease with low educational level, residence in rural environments, poor oral hygiene and cigarette smoking^8,28. Cigarette smoking is not a common habit among Tanzanian women and indeed none of our population were smokers.

The prevalence of PD varies depending on the population investigated and the definition and the recording index used. One of the weaknesses of most studies is the inconsistency in the recording of prevalence and severity of PD, a drawback that influences the results and limits the possibility of making valid comparisons between studies. In this study the CPI scoring system was the method used for measuring periodontal status²⁹.

This study found a significant association between PD and PE [aOR 4.12 (95% CI: 2.20–7.90)] indicating that PD may influence adverse pregnancy outcomes in Northern Tanzania. Parity more than 3, age 36 - 45 and history of previous PE were strongly associated with development of PE in women with PD, in agreement with previous reports in the US³⁰, Iran³¹, Italy³², and Brazil³³ which found significant associations between pre-eclampsia and PD. In a meta-analysis including 13 observational case control studies and two cohort studies, Wei and colleagues also found a significant association between PD and pre-eclampsia³⁴.

However, studies conducted by Nabet et al.³ and Pattanashetti et al.³⁵ found a strong association between PD and induced PTB due to preeclampsia. Our findings are at odds with those of studies performed in Iran and Italy by Abati et al.¹ and Yaghini et al.³⁶, who did not report this association.

Certain similarities have been reported between preeclampsia and atherosclerosis. Like preeclampsia, atherosclerosis is associated with endothelial dysfunction, which may be caused by oxidative stress and subsequent lipid peroxidation, hyperlipidemia or homocysteinemia³⁷. Epidemiological factors such as obesity, history of hypertension and African ancestry render the person susceptible to pre-eclampsia and atherosclerosis. One of the reasons for abnormalities in endothelial function is the presence of severe inflammatory responses. Periodontal disease, a chronic oral Gram-negative infection, has been associated with atherosclerosis, thromboembolic events and hypercholesterinemia. Oral pathogens have been detected in atherosclerotic plaque where they may play a role in the development and progression of atherosclerosis, leading to coronary vascular disease. Periodontal disease may cause a chronic burden of endotoxin and inflammatory cytokines which serve to initiate and exacerbate athrogenesis and thrombogenesis. It is possible that the placenta may be similarly burdened in pregnant women who develop pre-eclampsia^37,38,39. Women with active periodontal disease during pregnancy may have transient translocation of oral organisms to the uteroplacental unit, causing placental inflammation or oxidative stress early in pregnancy which ultimately produces placental damage and the clinical manifestation of pre-eclampsia. Studying umbilical cord serum, Madianos et al assessed the presence of fetal immunoglobulin M against oral pathogens, and identified the production of fetal IgM against Porphyromonas gingivalis; this finding indicates a fetal humoral response to organisms distant from the intrauterine environment and suggests the possibility of translocation of oral pathogens to the uteroplacental unit¹⁴. Other authors have detected a molecular increase of oral bacteria such as Fusobacterium nucleatum in the placenta tissues of pregnant periodontitis patients⁴⁰.

PTB or LBW newborns are a major cause of infant mortality and morbidity, and those who survive suffer a higher risk of developing neurodevelopmental, respiratory, cardiovascular and metabolic abnormalities as well as learning disabilities. It is clear that the causes of PTB and LBW are complex and multifactorial, but the mechanisms involved may present common pathways. Infection is an important risk factor for preterm low birth weight and so periodontal disease may be linked to this process⁴¹. Due to the high morbidity and mortality rates, PTB represents a significant public health problem in Tanzania, which is among the countries with the highest perinatal and child mortality indices²².

This study also found associations between PD and PTB and LBW. After adjusting for participant's age, parity, presence of pre-eclampsia and history of previous LBW and PTB, the relationship was statistically significant in all cases. These findings corroborate those of studies elsewhere in Africa and in other parts of the world, which have recorded significant associations between PD, PTB and LBW^26,42–47. However, two studies conducted in Italy^1,48 and one in Taiwan⁴⁹ found no association between PTB and PD, and an earlier study in Tanzania conducted by Mumghamba and Manji⁵⁰ failed to demonstrate the association between PD and preterm LBW.

Our study did not find a significant statistical association between PD and pPROM or eclampsia, even though the findings were clinically significant. Similarly, Abati et al. in Italy found no association between PD and adverse pregnancy outcomes including pPROM¹.

Future studies should aim to identify possible correlations between the maternal subgingival microbiota and the placental microbioma, and analyse common inflammatory factors at both these sites. In any case, new policies are needed to provide systematic periodontal treatment for all pregnant patients with periodontal disease and thus control one of the main risk factors for adverse pregnancy outcomes.

Conclusion

In summary, maternal periodontal disease is a potential independent risk indicator for pre-eclampsia, low birth weight and preterm birth. Periodontal examination and treatment for women with pre-existing periodontal disease can reduce the risk of recurrence or deterioration, and should form part of the preventive antenatal care provided in developing countries. Taken together with other studies, our findings suggest that the disparate results regarding the association between periodontal disease and adverse outcomes are partly due to the definitions used and the populations studied.

Ethical consideration

Ethical clearance certificate No. 822 was obtained from the Kilimanjaro Christian Medical University College Research and Ethics Committee. Study participants signed an informed consent form before data collection and all the information was treated confidentially. Participants who did not provide consent received the same care as those who did.

Conflict of interest

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Funding information

The study was self- funded by the authors.