Periodontal Disease is a Risk Factor for Placenta-Mediated Pregnancy Complications.
Level 4 - case-series / case-control
Retrospective case-control study
PubMed 42649029 · doi:10.1272/jnms.JNMS.2026_93-408
What was done
A retrospective case-control study evaluated 262 pregnant inpatients with singleton pregnancies who underwent perinatal dental examinations at Nippon Medical School Tama Nagayama Hospital between September 2012 and August 2015. Medical records were reviewed for incident placenta-mediated pregnancy complications (PMPCs), defined as preterm birth, preeclampsia, small for gestational age birth, placental abruption, and late pregnancy loss. Associations with periodontal disease were assessed using univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses.
What was found
Among 262 inpatients, 130 (49.6%) developed PMPCs. The prevalence of periodontal disease was significantly higher in women with PMPCs than in those without (90.0% vs. 75.0%, P = 0.002). Multivariate logistic regression identified periodontal disease as an independent risk factor for PMPCs (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 2.89, 95% CI 1.41–5.88). Younger maternal age (<35 years; aOR 1.75, 95% CI 1.04–2.92) and a prior history of PMPCs (aOR 3.27, 95% CI 1.47–7.27) were also significantly associated with PMPCs.
Why it matters
This study links maternal periodontal disease specifically to a composite of placenta-mediated pregnancy complications, highlighting maternal oral health as a potential target for prenatal risk evaluation.
Limits
The study is limited by its single-center retrospective design and restriction to inpatients, introducing potential selection bias. The sample size was modest (n = 262), outcomes were analyzed as a composite rather than individually, and unmeasured confounders typical of chart reviews were not fully controlled.
Cited by
- supports Periodontal disease is associated with impaired sperm quality, reduced fertility potential in women, and an increased risk of pregnancy complications such as preeclampsia and preterm birth.