The Effect of periodontal therapy on preterm low birth weight

January 01, 0001

The Effect of periodontal therapy on preterm low birth weight

These Brazilian authors systematically reviewed randomized controlled trials that evaluated the effect of periodontal therapy on preterm birth and low birth weight (LBW). The Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials statement was used in quality assessment and meta-analysis was carried out using random-effects methods.

They found: "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 (four studies); 2) controlling for multiparity, RR 0.92 (eight studies); 3) controlling for previous preterm birth, RR 0.88 (seven studies); 4) controlling for genitourinary infections, RR 0.75 (six studies); and 5) all the previous criteria, RR 0.63 (three studies). Three meta-analysis on LBW were conducted according to controlling for multiparity, RR 1.03 (four studies); controlling for previous preterm birth, RR 0.93 (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 (two studies). In all meta-analyses, the effect of periodontal treatment on preterm birth and LBW was not statistically significant."

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

Further studies are still needed, because if the risk reductions identified in this meta-analysis were statistically significant, they would certainly be clinically significant.

For the full abstract, click here.

Obstet Gynecol 117(1):153-165, January 2011 © 2011 to the American College ofObstetricians and Gynecologists
The Effect of Periodontal Therapy on Preterm Low Birth Weight: A Meta-Analysis. Mariana Fampa Fogacci, Mario Vianna Vettore, Anna Thereza Thomé Leão. Correspondence to Dr. Fampa Fogacci: [email protected]

Category: W. Pregnancy, Childbirth, Family Planning. Keywords: periodontal disease, low birth weight, prematurity, meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials, journal watch.
Synopsis edited by Dr Linda French, Toledo, Ohio. Posted on Global Family Doctor 11 January 2011

Pearls are an independent product of the Cochrane primary care group and are meant for educational use and not to guide clinical care.

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