Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
Review
. 2011 Jan;117(1):153-165.
doi: 10.1097/AOG.0b013e3181fdebc0.

The effect of periodontal therapy on preterm low birth weight: a meta-analysis

Mariana Fampa Fogacci  1 , Mario Vianna Vettore, Anna Thereza Thomé Leão
Affiliations
Review

The effect of periodontal therapy on preterm low birth weight: a meta-analysis

Mariana Fampa Fogacci et al. Obstet Gynecol. 2011 Jan.

Abstract

Objective: To systematically review the randomized controlled trials that evaluated the effect of periodontal therapy on preterm birth and low birth weight (LBW).

Data sources: A systematic search was conducted of the PubMed, Bireme, LILACS, and Cochrane databases.

Methods of study selection: Only randomized controlled trials on the effect of periodontal therapy on preterm birth and LBW were included. The Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials statement was used in quality assessment and meta-analysis was carried out using random-effects methods.

Tabulation, integration, and results: The search resulted in 14 clinical studies. Ten articles met the inclusion criteria for preterm birth and four for LBW. Five meta-analyses on preterm birth were performed according to different criteria: 1) use of probing depth and attachment loss for periodontitis definition, relative risk (RR) 0.58 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.29-1.12) (four studies); 2) controlling for multiparity, RR 0.92 (95% CI 0.72-1.17) (eight studies); 3) controlling for previous preterm birth, RR 0.88 (95% CI 0.67-1.16) (seven studies); 4) controlling for genitourinary infections, RR 0.75 (95% CI 0.57-1.05) (six studies); and 5) all the previous criteria, RR 0.63 (95% CI 0.32-1.22) (three studies). Three meta-analysis on LBW were conducted according to controlling for multiparity, RR 1.03 (95% CI 0.76-1.40) (four studies); controlling for previous preterm birth, RR 0.93 (95% CI 0.65-1.30) (three studies); and use of probing depth and attachment loss for periodontitis definition, controlling for multiparity, previous preterm birth, and genitourinary infections, RR 0.52 (95% CI 0.10-2.60) (two studies). In all meta-analyses, the effect of periodontal treatment on preterm birth and LBW was not statistically significant.

Conclusion: Results of this meta-analysis do not support the hypothesis that periodontal therapy reduces preterm birth and LBW indices.

PubMed Disclaimer

References

    1. World Health Organization. International statistical classification of diseases and related health problems. 10th revision. Geneva: World Health Organization; 2007.
    1. Barros FC, Huttly SR, Victora CG, Kirkwood BR, Vaughan JP. Comparison of the causes and consequences of prematurity and intrauterine growth retardation: a longitudinal study in southern Brazil. Pediatrics 1992;90(2 pt 1):238–44.
    1. Goldenberg RL, Culhane JF, Iams JD, Romero R. Epidemiology and causes of preterm birth. Lancet 2008;371:75–84.
    1. United Nations Children's Fund and World Health Organization. Low birth weight: country, regional and global estimates. New York (NY): UNICEF; 2004.
    1. Kliegman RM, Rottman CJ, Behrman RE. Strategies for the prevention of low birth weight. Am J Obstet Gynecol 1990;162:1073–83.

LinkOut - more resources