Inflamatory response in pregnant women with high risk of preterm delivery and its relationship with periodontal disease: a pilot study

Periodontal disease and its inflammatory response have been related to adverse outcomes in pregnancy such as preterm birth, preeclampsia and low birth weight. This study analyzed systemic inflammatory response in patients with high risk of preterm delivery and its relationship to periodontal disease. A pilot study was conducted for a case and control study, on 23 patients at risk of preterm delivery and 23 patients without risk of preterm delivery as controls. Exclusion criteria were patients who had received periodontal treatment, antibiotic or antimicrobial agents within the past three months, or with infections or baseline diseases such as diabetes or hypercholesterolemia. All patients underwent periodontal assessment, laboratory tests (complete blood count, lipid profile, baseline glycemia) and quantification of cytokines (IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, TNF-α and TNF-γ). Higher levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, TNF-α and TNF-γ) were found in patients with chronic periodontitis than in patients with gingivitis or periodontal health. These cytokines, in particular IL-2, IL-10 and TNF-α, were higher in patients at high risk of preterm delivery. Patients with high risk of preterm delivery had higher severity of periodontal disease as well as higher levels of the pro-inflammatory markers IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, TNF-α and TNF-γ.