NEW YORK (Reuters Health), May 7 - Periodontal disease and increased levels of C-reactive protein (CRP) in pregnant women heighten the risk of developing preeclampsia, researchers report in the April issue of the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology.
"Maternal periodontal disease clearly contributes to an increased risk of preeclampsia," lead investigator Dr. Michael Ruma told Reuters Health, "and our results demonstrate that this risk is further increased in the presence of elevated systemic inflammation."
Dr. Ruma of the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, and colleagues conducted a secondary analysis of data on 775 women who had taken part in a study of oral health and pregnancy.
In all, 31 (4%) developed preeclampsia. Women with the highest levels of CRP were significantly more likely to develop preeclampsia than those with lower levels (relative risk, 2.2).
When compared to those without periodontal disease and CRP at any level, the risk was further elevated in women with both periodontal disease and elevated CRP levels (adjusted relative risk, 5.8).
"What remains to be seen," concluded Dr. Ruma, "is whether treatment of maternal periodontal disease can reduce the rate of preeclampsia."
By David Douglas
Am J Obstet Gynecol 2008;198:389.e1-389.e5.
Last Updated: 2008-05-07 11:27:37 -0400 (Reuters Health)
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