ISSN Print: 2151-805X
ISSN Online: 2151-8068
Ethical Issues in a Case Control Study of Maternal Periodontal Health Status and Low Birth Weight Babies in North India
ABSTRACT
Low birth weight infants remain a major public health concern because it has been a foremost reason for neonatal demise and long-standing health tribulations. Health care for extremely immature preterm low birth weight infants at the margins of viability is ethically, professionally, and emotionally complicated. There is a rising consensus that remote infections from oral cavity may influence preterm low birth weight babies. The objective was to analyze the ethical issues arising in a case control study of maternal periodontal health status and low birth weight babies. Women 20−35 years of age, who delivered low birth weight babies (<2.5kg) were included as cases and those with normal weight babies (>2.5kg) as controls. Maternal oral clinical parameters were evaluated in a total number of 350 women (175 cases and 175 controls) and measured. During comparison of periodontal health parameters between cases and controls, it was found that for all the three oral health parameters, mean values were significantly higher in cases as compared to controls (p < 0.05). This led to evaluation of awareness among the treating gynecologists. Hence, a questionnaire was formulated to assess the importance of periodontal health checkups in pregnant women. Mean values were statistically analyzed. The results show that 86% of gynecologists were aware of the fact that remote infections from oral cavity may influence preterm low birth weight babies, but it was observed that proper guidelines for maintenance of oral hygiene were not being followed. Ethical diversions from the normal protocol were observed. The findings in the present assessment suggest that maternal periodontal diseases can influence adverse pregnancy outcomes and good oral health can ensure a healthier progeny. Gynecologists can be better motivators for the good oral hygiene in pregnant women for superior pregnancy outcomes.