PreeclampsiaDental Health Check with Dr. Linda Niessen
Dental health topics from Dr. Linda Niessen of Baylor College of Dentistry
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Preeclampsia
By Dr. Linda Niessen STORY: PREECLAMPSIA
SCRIPT #601 SHOOT: 4/12/05 AIRDATE: Monday, April 18, 2005 Daybreak and Midday DHC Master #20 Timecode: 59:46 Note: For more information:
Monday, April 18, 2005
Study mentioned in story published in March 23, 2005 issue of Journal of Periodontology: "Pregnancy Complication Associated with Periodontal Destruction."
Article can be found at www.perio.org
Visit website of American Academy of Periodontology
www.perio.org For general advice, read the article "Dental Care
for a Healthy Pregnancy."
Pregnant women who suddenly develop high blood pressure may need to see their obstetrician AND their dentist. Dr. Linda Niessen explains why in today's segment of Dental Health Check.
New scientific evidence links chronic gum infection with high blood pressure in pregnant women. That condition, called preeclampsia, endangers the life of both the mother and the unborn baby.
Researchers found protein levels in the women with preeclampsia were almost three times greater than women in the healthy group. That protein is called a cytokine.
Periodontist Dr. Ronald Stukalin says,"A cytokine is a circulating protein throughout the body that is part of the process of inflammation." Preeclampsia or high blood pressure during pregnancy affects one in 20 pregnant women. It is a leading cause of death in both mothers and babies.
"Well, we're starting to see that there may be a link with this circulating cytokine stimulating some problems. In women who have had periodontal problems or gum problems, we're seeing that there is a higher incidence of these women having preeclampsia," Dr. Stukalin added.
The link between high blood pressure and gum disease needs further study.
But scientists agree on one simple fact: inflamed or swollen gum tissue creates severe problems during pregnancy.
Other studies have linked mothers with gum disease to low birth weight babies as a result of premature labor and delivery.
Pregnant women should see their dentist at least once during the nine months, and more often if they have signs of periodontal disease. For Baylor College of Dentistry, Texas A&M Health Science Center, I'm Dr. Linda Niessen, Channel 8 News.
Dr. Linda Niessen, clinical professor in the Department of Restorative Sciences and the Office of Communications and Development at Baylor College of Dentistry, hosts Dental Health Check, the only weekly dental feature shot on location in the nation.
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