Monday 20th April 2009 News Index

Poor oral hygiene during pregnancy has been linked to a greater risk of premature delivery, low birth weight and newborn infection, according to latest research.

Research carried out at Queen Mary University of London found that bacteria from a mother's mouth could contribute to pregnancy and childbirth complications.

Presenting the study at the Society for General Microbiology meeting, lead researcher Ms Cecilia Gonzales-Marin said: "Our research group is using DNA techniques to confirm if bacteria from the newborn match the bacteria in the respective mother's mouth.

At the meeting in Harrogate (Tuesday 31 March, 2009), Ms Cecilia Gonzales-Marin and colleagues from Queen Mary University of London, described how they had tested the gastric aspirates (stomach contents containing swallowed amniotic fluid) of 57 newborn babies and found 46 different species of bacteria in the samples. The most prevalent bacteria in the samples may have come from the vagina; however, two of the species were recognised as coming from the mouth and are not normally found elsewhere in the body. These particular bacteria, Granulicatella elegans and Streptococcus sinensis, are known to be able to enter the bloodstream and have previously been associated with infections remote from the mouth such as infective endocarditis.

"Hospitals routinely take these samples as part of the care of the babies born from a complicated pregnancy and/or at risk of serious infection."

Residual bacteria in the mouth due to insufficient dental hygiene can be transmitted to an unborn child via blood and amniotic fluid in the womb, experts explained.

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