PERIODONTAL DISEASES AND THEIR ASSOCIATION WITH UNWANTED PREGNANCY OUTCOMES

Periodontal diseases are among the most common in the world and are a risk factor for a large number of systemic pathological processes. These systemic conditions currently include unwanted pregnancy outcomes. This review is devoted to the analysis of the etiopathogenetic mechanisms of a relationship between periodontal diseases and unwanted pregnancy outcomes. Publications in recent years on a given topic were analyzed. Most researchers currently consider that the key factor that links periodontal diseases with systemic disease is the ability of a number of periodontal pathogenic bacteria to persist in the body, which reach distant organs and tissues, inducing a pronounced inflammatory response not only at the local, but also at the systemic level. In pregnant women, the incidence of periodontal diseases amounts to as much as 40% and is accompanied by a significant increase in that of preterm birth, premature rupture of membranes, low fetal weight, preeclampsia, and other adverse events. The basis for these impairments in the course of the gestational process is the development of inflammatory reactions that accompany periodontitis and become systemic with time. Inflammation in turn provokes birth activity. In addition, the appearance of periodontal pathogenic bacteria in the placenta and amniotic fluid was recorded in periodontitis diseases, which affects fetal development. Among the periodontal pathogens in these cases, Porphyromonas gingivalis prevails with its unique set of virulence factors, the ability to affect macrophages intracellularly and to induce the autoimmune processes accompanied by the production of specific cardiolipin antibodies. Conclusion: The investigation has found a relationship between periodontal diseases and adverse pregnancy outcomes due to the unity of a number of etiopathogenetic mechanisms. The presence of these phenomena creates a prospect for prevention of unwanted pregnancy outcomes through measures aimed at treating periodontal diseases. © A group of authors, 2022.