Effect of Antenatal Treatment of Maternal Periodontitis on Early Childhood Neurodevelopment

Abstract

Objective To determine if antenatal treatment of maternal periodontitis affects early childhood neurodevelopment.

Study Design We evaluated neurodevelopment of 331 24-month-old children born to women who participated in a randomized trial of antenatal (167) or postpartum (164) treatment of periodontitis. Children within groups defined by maternal treatment were designated as high risk for abnormal neurodevelopment (n = 96; birth at ≤34⁶/₇ weeks' gestation or small for gestational age following birth at term) or low risk (n = 235; appropriate birth weight and ≥37 weeks' gestation). We measured neurodevelopment using the Bayley Scale of Infant and Toddler Development III (BSID III) and neurological examination. Treatment effect was analyzed using a chi-square or Fisher exact test. Between-group mean scores were compared using Student t test.

Results There were no differences in the incidence of neuromotor or sensory (visual or hearing) impairment or scores on the BSID III between groups. Low-risk children in the antenatal treatment group had higher language scores than those in the postpartum treatment group (92.9 versus 89.2; p = 0.05).

Conclusion Antenatal treatment of maternal periodontitis does not appear to affect neurodevelopment at 24 months of age. The slight improvement in language development in low-risk children may be an artifact or not clinically relevant.

Keywords

periodontitis - neurodevelopment - neuromotor impairment - sensory impairment

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