Premature Birth Likely Outcome for Women With Gum Disease

According to a new US study, pregnant women with gum disease are more likely to give birth prematurely than mothers-to-be with good oral health.

The research by scientists at the University of Pennsylvania suggests that successful treatment for gum disease can cut the risk of pregnant women giving birth early, reports the BBC.

Links to Premature Birth Identified in Genetic Mutation
Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Centre, have identified a genetic mutation that leads to cellular and molecular changes in the pregnant uterus that trigger premature birth.

The study of 160 women showed that those whose gum disease was not treated successfully were three times more likely to give birth before 35 weeks.

It has been previously established that severe gum infections cause an increase in the production of prostaglandin and tumour necrosis factor, chemicals which induce labor, to be produced.

The study enrolled women who were between six and 20 weeks' pregnant.

Premature Birth Linked With Increased Use of Pesticides
The growing premature birth rate in the United States appears to be strongly associated with increased use of pesticides and nitrates, according to study.

All of the volunteers had gum disease. These women were given treatment, which was successful in one third of the cases.

The results showed a 'strong and significant association' between successful treatment and full-term births.

Cellular and Molecular Changes in the Uterus of a Pregnant Woman Trigger Premature Birth
Mutation of a gene that helps protect the body from genetic instability leads to cellular and molecular changes in the pregnant uterus that trigger premature birth, according to a study.

Those whose treatment did not work were 'significantly more likely' to give birth before 35 weeks.

However, UK experts warned that this was a small study and further research was needed.

Gum Disease Affects Diabetic Children Earlier Than Anticipated
Researchers from the Columbia University Medical Center have found that the lethal impact of diabetes can affect the gums much earlier than anticipated.

The study was presented to the annual conference of the American Association for Dental Research.

Source-ANI
TRI

Premature Birth Likely Outcome of Women With Gum Disease