Periodontal infection and preterm birth: How strong is the evidence?

Abstract

A recent NSW Public Health Bulletin article discussed the possibility that periodontal infection may be a risk factor for preterm birth. One of the papers cited in support of this association was ‘Periodontal infection as a possible risk factor for preterm low birth weight’ by Offenbacher et al. Such an association is potentially of major importance. In Australia, approximately seven per cent of births are preterm each year, and for many of these there is no known cause.