Author/Editor     Dahmane, Raja; Petelin, Milan
Title     Vpliv parodontalne bolezni na prezgodnji porod in nižjo porodno težo novorojencev
Translated title     Influence of periodontal disease on preterm birth and low birth weight
Type     članek
Source     Obz Zdrav Nege
Vol. and No.     Letnik 45, št. 2
Publication year     2011
Volume     str. 135-9
Language     slo
Abstract     Preterm birth and low birth weight represent major social and economic public health problems. Preterm birth occurs in 6% of births in Slovenia which is about 1000 children per year. Known risk factors for spontaneous preterm birth include a previous preterm birth, high or low body mass index, alcohol consumption during pregnancy, ethnicity (African American), smoking, fetal fibronektin, inflammatory mediators such as interleukin-6 (IL-6) and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) and intrauterine infections. There has recently been a focus on periodontal infection - periodontal disease as a risk factor for preterm birth. The findings indicated that periodontal diseases in the pregnant mother significantly increase the risk of subsequent preterm birth or low birth weight due to the systemic increase of pro- inflammatory cytokines, which reduce the viability of the placenta and cause premature contractions of the uterus. Successful initial periodontal treatment with scaling and root planning is associated with a decreased incidence of spontaneous preterm birth and low birth weight. Since periodontal disease is very common in Slovenia, it is recommended that obstetricians are provided also with information concerning the childbearing women's oral health and explain them the impact of periodontal disease on the fetus and measures to prevent gingival inflammation.
Descriptors     PREGNANCY
PERIODONTAL DISEASES
LABOR, PREMATURE
INFANT, LOW BIRTH WEIGHT
RISK FACTORS
DENTAL PLAQUE