It's been reported in the past that periodontal disease may be a factor in the occurrence of preterm low birthweight babies. Now it is believed that bacteria commonly found in dental plaque biofilms may also be related.

Researchers evaluated bacterial levels in the saliva of 297 women in their third trimester of pregnancy. They found that a higher salivary level of the bacteria called Actinomyces naeslundii Genospecies2 (A. naeslundii gsp2) is associated with low birth weight and preterm delivery, while higher levels of the bacteria Lactobacillus casei (L. casei) during pregnancy positively affected the birthweight."

"Our observation that A.naeslundii gsp2 reduced birthweight and preterm delivery fits well with the theory that oral bacteria and the molecules the body produces against them can enter the uterine environment through the blood stream and may influence the delivery process," explained Dr. Ananda P. Dasanayake, Department of Epidemiology and Health Promotion, New York University College of Dentistry. "Whereas the bacteria L.casei secretes acids that maintain the vaginal pH level below 4.5. This pH level has a protective effect and prevents the overgrowth of more bacteria, including those associated with bacterial vaginosis (a condition associated with preterm labor and deliver)."

"What's interesting is that the research shows that for each ten-fold increase in A. naeslundii gsp 2 levels, there was a 60 gram (0.13 pound) decline in birthweight and a 0.17 week decrease in gestational age. On the other hand, for one unit increase of L. casei levels there was a 42 gram increase (0.9 pounds) in birth weight and a 0.13 week increase in gestational age," said Vincent J. Iacono, DMD and president of the
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Contact: Amy Duff
amyd@perio.org
312-573-3244
American Academy of Periodontology
23-Mar-2005