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Pregnant women are particularly prone to periodontal disease (gum) and to undergo hormonal changes associated with pregnancy, and research has found that women with periodontal disease may be at higher risk of having babies with low weight due to prematurity. Researchers have studied for several years, the relationship between infection and preterm birth, particularly in the genitourinary tract infection (GUI). Apparently the infection (IGU) causes the levels of PGE? (prostaglandin) and TNF (tumor necrosis factor) - biological fluids, generally, induce labor, will increase rapidly, causing premature births. Scientists suspect that periodontal disease, a bacterial infection also can trigger a similar increase in molecular levels of PGE and TNF, thereby causing premature birth.
The relationship between infection, particularly the GUI, and adverse outcomes in pregnancy has been extensively documented in studies in animals and humans. In a study of periodontal infection in pregnant or postpartum women, those with periodontal disease had more premature births than those without the disease. Medical professionals have been shocked by these results and have demanded further exploration in this area. |
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention of Disease, the incidence of premature low birth weight among Hispanic women increased from 1980 to 1993 - despite the new technology and science.
- Approximately 26 percent of Hispanic-American did not receive prenatal care during the first quarter - the most critical period in fetal development in which it develops all its principal organs, arms and legs.
- Between 1980 and 1993, the number of Hispanic women who had low birth weight premature infants (less than 5.5 lbs / 2.5 kg) increased, compared with figures from Caucasian women, African American, Chinese and Japanese, which fell.
Research studies show that low-weight premature births may be linked to periodontal disease. The periodontal assessment is an important part of prenatal care. A Hispanic women who are considering pregnancy are advised to talk to their dentist or periodontist about periodontal evaluation and preventive steps to maintain good oral health.
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