Pre-term low birth weight and maternal periodontal status among mothers attending Pumwani maternity hospital Nairobi, Kenya.

Abstract

Background Pre-term birth (PTLBW) is a great public health concern, as it is a significant cause of neonatal mortality, yet it is preventable. Some studies demonstrate a link between maternal periodontal disease and PTLBW where as others do not. Objectives The study aimed to determine whether there is an association between maternal periodontal disease and PTLBW. Methodology The study was carried out among 235 women of reproductive age who delivered singleton infants via spontaneous vaginal delivery at Pumwani Maternity Hospital. It employed a hospital based case-control study approach. There was an approximate ratio of 1:3 of cases to controls (61 cases and 174 controls). All consenting cases were recruited to participate in the study. Consenting controls were recruited after systematic random sampling. A questionnaire and clinical examination forms were used for data collection. Data analysis Data analysis was done using SPSS version 23. Chi square and odds ratios were used to determine associations between PTLBW and the predictor variables at the bivariate level. The statistically significant factors associated with PTLBW at the bivariate level were considered together using multivariable analysis. Results The study’s findings indicated that 100% of the cases and 100% of the controls had periodontal disease: either gingivitis or periodontitis using BPE. At the bivariate level, education level, smoking during pregnancy and the number of ANC visits had a significant association with PTLBW. After controlling for these confounders, only ANC visits significantly associated with PTLBW, where the increase in the number of ANC visits reduced the odds of having a PTLBW neonate. Conclusion There is high periodontal disease burden among pregnant women. However, there was no association between PTLBW and maternal periodontal status. Additionally, increase in the number of antenatal care visits reduced the odds of delivering a preterm birth neonate. Recommendations All oral health care stakeholders should give oral health education to pregnant women and oral examination and treatment should be included in the antenatal care package by the Ministry of Health, as a means of addressing the high periodontal disease burden among pregnant women.