Periodontal pathogens in the placenta and membranes in term and preterm birth.

INTRODUCTION: Preterm birth is a common cause of adverse neonatal and childhood outcomes. It is commonly associated with infection of the maternal-fetal interface. The relationship between periodontitis and preterm labour is controversial.

METHODS: Control placental tissues from uncomplicated term births were compared with those from spontaneous preterm births for incidence of common periodontal bacteria. A chi-square analysis was used to compare the populations, with significance determined at p=<0.05.

RESULTS: The study group comprised 29 control women who had an uncomplicated term birth, 25 delivered by caesarean section and 4 vaginal deliveries, and 36 women with a spontaneous preterm labour and subsequent delivery at less than 34 weeks gestation. There were significant (p=<0.05) differences between the preterm and term groups maternal age with 28.7 compared to 32.0 years old respectively. There was no significant (p=>0.05) differences between the groups fetal risk factors or co-morbidities, except the preterm group had a significantly higher (p=<0.05) rate of premature rupture of membrane (PROM). There were significantly (p=<0.01) more Fusobacterium spp. in the placentas from term births than preterm births.

DISCUSSION: This study found that the common periodontal pathogen, Fusobacterium spp., is not detected more in placentas from preterm birth and may potentially be lower, possibly resulting from bacterial ecological factors in term placentas.