DOI: 10.36347/sajb.2016.v04i09.001

Pages: 700-706

The objective of this case-control study was to determine the influence of periodontal disease in pregnant women a possible risk factor for low birth weight infants. 200 postpartum women were included in this study population was grouped into: controls (TNBW, n=100) and cases (TLBW, n = 100). Periodontal disease presence and severity were clinically determined using Russell’s periodontal index. The nutritional evaluation of the newborns was determined by Ballard’s modified gestational age assessment chart. Results in this study concluded that the periodontal health appeared to be worsened as the mother’s age increased. There was a decrease in the gestational age and birth weight of the infants as the mother’s periodontal disease severity increased, although the values were not significant. An increase in the periodontal index score with increased periodontal disease severity was observed in cases as compared to controls. There was an association between periodontal disease and low birth weight, although this association has not reached statistical significance.