Pilot study for periodontal treatment and pregnancy outcome: a clinical prospective study.

Objective: Maternal periodontitis has been suggested as an important risk factor for preterm low birth weight. The aim of the present observational study was to assess whether full-mouth therapy of periodontitis in pregnant women reduces the risk of preterm low birth weight.

Method And Materials: From April 2006 to April 2007, 302 pregnant women who were at less than 22 weeks of gestation were invited to attend a periodontal examination.

Placental expression of proteases and their inhibitors in patients with HELLP syndrome.

In preeclampsia and hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes and low platelet (HELLP) syndrome, impaired trophoblast invasion and excessive fibrin deposition in the placental intervillous space is associated with fetal compromise. However, little information is available whether modulation of placental protease expression--potentially causing impaired trophoblast invasion--is associated with the HELLP syndrome. Total RNA and protein were extracted from placental tissue from 11 females with HELLP syndrome and 8 controls matched for gestational age.