Abstract:

  Background and Aim: The relationship between periodontal disease and pregnancy complications has been established in numerous previous studies. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of the phase I periodontal therapy on the prevention of preeclampsia in pregnant women referred to three hospital centers from 2007 to 2008 during year 1386 and 1387.

  Materials and Methods : For this clinical trial study 40 pregnant women in 20 to 28 week of pregnancy with a history of preeclampsia and moderate to severe periodontal disease were selected. The intervening factors affecting preeclampsia were matched in both groups. The case group included 20 samples who received the phase I periodontal therapy. No treatment was performed in the control group. Both groups were followed up to delivery and observed for incidence of preeclampsia symptoms. The periodontal parameters including plaque index (PLI), pocket depth ) PD) , bleeding on probing (BOP), gingival recession (GR) and clinical attachment level ( CAL) were recorded for all teeth except the wisdom teeth. Preeclampsia was defined as blood pressure over 140/90 mmHg and proteinuria (+1). Data was subjected to Exact Fisher Test for statistical analysis.

  Results: PD in control and case group was (2.8±1.34) and (2.1±0.53) mm respectively. CAL in control and case group was (2.4±1.65) and (2.1±0.63) mm respectively and the difference was not statistically significant (p =0.2). Two of the samples in case group (10%) and 4 in the control group (20%) revealed preeclampsia symptoms. The difference was not statistically significant (P = 0.3).

  Conclusion: According to this study, the phase I periodontal therapy prevented the incidence of preeclampsia clinically although statistically there was no differences between two groups.

  Key word: periodontal disease, preeclampsia, periodontal therapy, pregnancy.