RELATIONSHIP OF PERIODONTITIS IN PREGNANCY TO PREMATURE AND LOW BIRTH WEIGHT IN A LIBYAN WOMEN SAMPLE

Abstract

Introduction: Many studies have been published indicating a positive or negative relationship between periodontal disease and preterm/low birth weight. The inconsistent findings across studies have given the emerging evidence suggesting that associations may be influenced by population characteristics. Objective: To assess the relation between periodontal disease and the risk of preterm delivery/low birth weight among Libyan women in Benghazi. Methods: A total of 300 Libyan pregnant women attended to reception of labour ward at gynaecology and obstetrics department of Al- Jomhuriya Hospital in Benghazi for delivery from May to August 2010 included in this study. After recording and excluded traditional risk factors for premature/low birth weight like; age, weight, smoking, prenatal care, medical history, gestational and obstetric history, they were examined for periodontal status using Plaque Index, Gingival Index and Periodontal Disease Index and the data obtained analysed with day of delivery and birth‘s weight. Results: The periodontal disease index score showed that 47% of the sample had moderate gingivitis, 29% of the sample had mild gingivitis, 10% had severe gingivitis while 11% had mild periodontitis. According to gingival index score, moderate gingivitis had high percentage (60%) which is related to high percentage of plaque deposition (51%) in plaque index score. And PDI showed insignificant relationship with PLBW at P-value = 0.849. Conclusion: This study suggests that there is no association between periodontitis and premature/low birth weight among Libyan ladies in Benghazi. Recommendation: This is only a preliminary study and further research from multicentre from different Libyan cities of large scale samples are needed before this can assume to be a casual relationship among Libyan ladies.