Prevent Disease.com - Type 1 Diabetes Ups Gum Disease Risk in Pregnancy



		Type 1 Diabetes Ups Gum Disease Risk in Pregnancy Excerpt By Suzanne Rostler, Reuters Health NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Pregnant women with type 1 diabetes may be at risk of developing a severe bacterial gum infection that can make blood sugar more difficult to control and raise the risk of preterm labor, study findings indicate. All pregnant women are at risk of gum inflammation, also known as gingivitis, the researchers note in the November issue of the Journal of Periodontology. But pregnant women with type 1 diabetes appear to be even more susceptible to the disease, which develops when bacteria in plaque cause the gums to become red and inflamed. If left untreated, gingivitis can erode the bones and tissue around the teeth, leaving pockets of space that are prone to infection. Gingivitis can also undermine attempts to stabilize blood sugar by increasing insulin resistance. This, in turn, can put the mother-to-be at risk for a surge in blood pressure, preterm labor and Cesarean delivery, and also increases the baby's risk of respiratory distress and diabetes, according to Dr. Janet M. Guthmiller from the University of Iowa in Iowa City and colleagues. ``In the future, we would like to see periodontal evaluations included in the prenatal care of pregnant diabetic women similar to the routinely performed ophthalmologic exam,'' Guthmiller said in an interview with Reuters Health. However, it is unclear whether the findings also apply to women with type 2 diabetes and gestational diabetes, she added. Gestational diabetes begins during pregnancy and usually disappears afterwards. In the study, the investigators compared levels of inflammation and plaque and the depth of pockets between teeth and gums in a group of pregnant women, including 13 with type 1 diabetes and 20 non-diabetics. The women's average age was about 29 years, and all were in their 20th to 39th week of pregnancy. Diabetic women had significantly more plaque and inflammation, deeper pockets between their teeth and looser teeth than non-diabetic women, the researchers report. ``Control of periodontal infections prior to and during pregnancy may not only improve diabetic control, but also minimize adverse fetal outcomes,'' Guthmiller and colleagues conclude. SOURCE: Journal of Periodontology 2001;72:1485-1490. Reference Source 89 For more information on how to prevent other diseases, use PreventDisease.com's "Quick Prevention Resources".