Periodontal Disease
and Pre-term Low Birth Weight
The aim of this study was to examine the prevalence
and relationship between periodontal disease and pre-term low
birth weight (PLBW) among Saudi mothers at King Khalid University
Hospital (KKUH) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The periodontal
status and the relative risk were also analyzed. The study
consisted of 30 cases [infants <37 weeks and/or weighing <2.500
kilograms (kg)] and a daily random sample of 60 controls [>
37 weeks and/or weighing >2.500 kg].
Clinical periodontal indices were measured on the labor wards.
Associated risk factors for periodontal disease and PLBW were
ascertained by means of a structured questionnaire and maternal
notes. The prevalence of the PLBW was found to be 11.3%, and the
prevalence of periodontal disease was high among the study population.
The risk of PLBW remained high with increasing periodontal disease
(odds ratio [OR] 4.21, 95% confident interval [CI] 1.99-8.93)
despite controlling the other risk factors such as age, smoking,
and social class.
In conclusion, there is a correlation between periodontal disease
and PLBW in KKUH.
The Prevalence and Relationship between Periodontal Disease and
Pre-term Low Birth Weight Infants at King Khalid University Hospital
in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia Sameer Abdullah Mokeem, BDS, MS, PhD;
Ghadeer Nabeel Molla, BDS; Thikriat Saleh Al-Jewair, BDS J Contemporary
Dental Practice 2004; 5(2): Spring 2004
