Intrapregnancy non-surgical periodontal treatment and pregnancy outcome: a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of the present study is to investigate the potential link between maternal periodontitis and pregnancy outcomes, including preterm birth (<37 weeks) and low birth weight (<2,500 g). METHODS: Ninety nine pregnant females with mild/moderate periodontitis were randomly allocated to a control (n = 50) or test (n = 49) group. Test group participants received intrapregnancy non-surgical periodontal treatment, whereas this was deferred until after delivery for controls. Demographic and baseline clinical data were obtained for all participants at initial assessment pretreatment. Clinical data were rerecorded for test participants at review 8 weeks after treatment. Birth outcomes were completed at delivery by midwives who also collected cord blood samples when possible; the latter were analyzed to determine the presence/levels of cytokines interleukin (IL)-1beta, IL-6, and IL-8. All data were analyzed on an intention-to-treat basis using appropriate statistical tests. RESULTS: Random allocation of participants resulted in well-balanced control and test groups. All test group participants and all but one control participant gave birth to a live infant. No significant differences were detected between control and test groups with regard to birth outcome measures of birth weight and gestational age or in relation to cytokine prevalence/levels. CONCLUSION: Intrapregnancy non-surgical periodontal treatment, completed at 20 to 24 weeks, did not reduce the risk of preterm, low-birth-weight delivery in this population.