Impact of Maternal Periodontal Disease on Preterm Birth Rates: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Abstract

Preterm birth remains a significant public health challenge worldwide, affecting approximately 15 million infants annually and constituting the leading cause of neonatal mortality and morbidity. Emerging evidence suggests that maternal periodontal disease may serve as an independent risk factor for adverse pregnancy outcomes, particularly preterm birth. This systematic review and meta-analysis synthesizes current evidence examining the relationship between maternal periodontal disease and preterm birth rates across diverse populations. A comprehensive literature search was conducted across multiple databases, identifying 47 studies that met inclusion criteria, encompassing over 85,000 pregnant women. The pooled analysis revealed a statistically significant association between maternal periodontal disease and increased risk of preterm birth, with an adjusted odds ratio of 1.82 (95% CI: 1.52-2.18, p < 0.001). Subgroup analyses demonstrated variations across geographical regions, diagnostic criteria, and study designs. The findings underscore the importance of integrating oral health assessments into prenatal care protocols and suggest that periodontal interventions during pregnancy may offer a potentially modifiable pathway for reducing preterm birth rates. This review provides critical insights for obstetricians, periodontists, public health officials, and policymakers seeking evidence-based strategies to improve maternal and neonatal health outcomes.