Gingival crevicular fluid prostaglandin E₂ level as a predictor of preterm low birth weight: a pilot investigation

Abstract

Periodontal infections, which serve as a reservoir of inflammatory mediators such as prostaglandin E₂ (PGE₂), may pose a threat to the fetal-placental unit and cause preterm delivery. This study was conducted to estimate the levels of PGE₂ in gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) and serum to explore the possible use of the GCF-PGE₂ level as a risk predictor of preterm low birth weight (PLBW). Twenty-two pregnant female patients were selected for the study. Samples of GCF and serum were collected from each patient, and sampling was repeated at one month after parturition. The level of PGE₂ in GCF and serum was estimated using a commercially available ELISA kit (NeogenTM). The mean serum PGE₂ level was 4.4 ng/ml and 1.64 ng/ml before and after parturition, respectively, and the difference was statistically significant (P < 0.001). The mean GCF-PGE₂ level was 5.8 ng/ml and 5.5 ng/ml before and after parturition, respectively, but the difference was not significant. There was positive correlation between the serumPGE₂ and GCF-PGE₂ levels, and there was a negative correlation between PGE₂ level and gestational age. The present findings suggest that there is a weak correlation between maternal GCF-PGE₂ level and birth outcome. Further clinical trials with a larger sample size are warranted for further investigation of the association between GCF-PGE₂ level and PLBW. (J Oral Sci 53, 293-300, 2011)