Chlorhexidine use among pregnant women with periodontitis may improve birth outcomes

A team of researchers has published in The Journal Of The American Medical Association explaining the facts & results associated with the use of antimicrobial mouthwash along with the conventional treatment for periodontitis (scaling & root planing) in pregnant women suffering from periodontitis. These observational studies included randomized clinical trials (RCTs). Prenatal periodontitis treated with chlorhexidine mouthwash plus periodontal treatment was associated with a lower risk of preterm birth and low birth weight compared with the control group of pregnant participants who did not receive periodontal treatment or use chlorhexidine mouthwash during pregnancy. Maternal periodontitis is associated with the risk factors such as adverse birth outcomes involving preterm birth & low weight birth has been observed.

The current research focuses on finding out the results in terms of reduced birth outcomes, i.e., preterm birth less than 37 weeks of gestation & low weight birth less than 2500 g, by using chlorhexidine with scaling & root planing treatment. The research was conducted on a larger scale, and the meta-analysis included 12 studies in which 5735 pregnant women participated.

Two groups were constructed for the evaluation under the study i.e-Intervention group, including pregnant women undergoing the conventional treatment of scaling & root planing with/without chlorhexidine mouthwash for periodontitis, and Control groups, including g pregnant women undergoing no therapy for periodontitis.

The study revealed some interesting facts:

A decrease in dental plaque accumulation, mild gingival infection with bleed & no. of Fusobacterium nucleatum has been observed. Fusobacterium nucleatum is associated with periodontal disease occurrence & progression, also showing adverse effects on birth outcomes.

The study showed heterogeneity of chlorhexidine by indicating its use in intrapartum & vaginal wiping, cleaning of the umbilical cord at the time of birth & neonatal wiping, increasing the birth outcomes.

Decreased risk of adverse birth outcomes (preterm birth & low weight) has been observed in the intervention groups receiving the SRP treatment along with the use of chlorhexidine for maternal periodontitis.

The results after the study confirmed the positive impact of using chlorhexidine, proving its heterogeneity & SRP for reducing adverse birth outcomes. The study proved beneficial for improving the treatment modalities for maternal periodontitis and birth outcomes in the future.

For the full article, visit the given link below:: https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2799685

Source: The Journal Of The American Medical Association