The association between periodontitis and pre-term birth and/or low birth weight: a literature review.

Infections have been strongly associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes like pre-term and/or low birth weight (PTLBW). There is substantial evidence on the direct association of genito-urinary infections and the incidence of PTLBW. Numerous cases of adverse pregnancy outcomes without maternal genito-urinary infection but nevertheless high levels of the tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) in the amniotic fluid, have been recorded. These findings alluded to the presence of infection elsewhere in the body. This paper reviews the literature on the association between the infective condition of periodontitis and PTLBW.