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Adverse pregnancy outcomes (APOs) and periodontal disease: pathogenic mechanisms
Author(s) -
Madianos Phoebus N.,
Bobetsis Yiorgos A.,
Offenbacher Steven
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
journal of periodontology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.036
H-Index - 156
eISSN - 1943-3670
pISSN - 0022-3492
DOI - 10.1902/jop.2013.1340015
Subject(s) - medicine , pregnancy , immune system , disease , inflammation , immunology , microbiome , fetus , miscarriage , placenta , fetal circulation , amniotic fluid , oral microbiome , adverse effect , systemic inflammation , intensive care medicine , physiology , bioinformatics , biology , genetics
Aim: To evaluate the evidence on potential biological pathways underlying the possible association between periodontal disease (PD) and adverse pregnancy outcomes (APOs). Material & Methods: Human, experimental and in vitro studies were evaluated. Results: Periodontal pathogens/byproducts may reach the placenta and spread to the foetal circulation and amniotic fluid. Their presence in the foeto‐placental compartment can stimulate a foetal immune/inflammatory response characterized by the production of IgM antibodies against the pathogens and the secretion of elevated levels of inflammatory mediators, which in turn may cause miscarriage or premature birth. Moreover, infection/inflammation may cause placental structural changes leading to pre‐eclampsia and impaired nutrient transport causing low birthweight. Foetal exposure may also result in tissue damage, increasing the risk for perinatal mortality/morbidity. Finally, the elicited systemic inflammatory response may exacerbate local inflammatory responses at the foeto‐placental unit and further increase the risk for APOs. Conclusions: Further investigation is still necessary to fully translate the findings of basic research into clinical studies and practice. Understanding the systemic virulence potential of the individual's oral microbiome and immune response may be a distinctly different issue from categorizing the nature of the challenge using clinical signs of PD. Therefore, a more personalized targeted therapy could be a more predictive answer to the current “one‐size‐fits‐all” interventions.