Maternal Periodontal Disease And Pre-Term Low Birth Weight

Maternal periodontal disease is a chronic oral infection with local and systemic inflammatory responses and may be associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes including low infant birth weight (<2500 g) and pre-term birth (<37 weeks). Pre-term low birth weight is a worldwide leading perinatal problem having public health implications. The incidence of preterm low birth weight babies is increasing in developing countries. It remains an important public health problem with great impact on neonatal mortality and morbidity. Infection affecting the mother during pregnancy and may produce alterations in the normal cytokine and hormone ¿ regulated gestation, which could result in preterm labor, premature rupture of membranes and preterm birth.