RESUMEN
This study was conducted to elaborate the association between maternal periodontal diseases and preterm and low birth weight by excluding the possible known risk factors. Pregnant women, who received regular prenatal care and delivered in Fujairah Hospital, UAE during the year 2007. Study group comprised of women who delivered babies below 37 weeks of gestation and/or body weight below 2,500 grams. Control group was age, and socio-demographic data-matched women who delivered babies over 37 weeks of gestation and body weight over 2,500 grams. Their age ranges between 18-40 years. The mean age of the study group was 26.8 yrs and control group was 28.1 yrs. Clinical examination was performed within 48 hours after delivery Oral hygiene and gingival status, probing depth and clinical attachment level were measured. Statistical analysis: The Fisher Exact test was used to analyze the correlation between the two variables. The prevalence of chronic periodontitis varied among the two groups. Periodontitis was present in 3 out of 20 women in the control group, whereas 7 out of 20 in the study group had periodontitis. Although statistically there was no significant relationship found between maternal periodontal disease and preterm and low birth weight infants but clinically periodontal diseases were more common in the study group. Maternal periodontitis may not be a causative factor for pre term birth and low birth weight