Salivary cytokines levels, maternal periodontitis and infants' weight at birth: A cohort study in pregnant women with obesity.

Introduction: Obesity and pregnancy may have synergistic effects on maternal periodontal tissues. In contrast, maternal obesity and periodontitis are antagonistic factors for the babies' weight at birth. This study evaluated, during pregnancy (T1) and after delivery (T2), periodontal parameters and salivary levels of cytokines in women with obesity, and the association of these outcomes with the baby's weight at birth.

Methods: After matching by age, socioeconomic status and systemic health, the sample was composed of pregnant women with obesity (GO = 25; BMI ≥30 kg/m) and normal BMI (GN = 25; BMI between 18.5 and 24.99 kg/m), who were evaluated regarding: periodontal parameters; salivary levels of TNF-α, IL-1β and leptin (Luminex® assay); and babies' weight at birth. Mann-Whitney, Friedman, ANOVA; chi-square and Cochran's Q tests were applied (p < 0.05).

Results: GO showed higher prevalence of periodontitis in T1 and T2 (p <0.001), with higher salivary levels of TNF-α (p = 0.003) and IL-1β (p = 0.009) in T1. IL-1β significantly decreased after delivery in GO. No intergroup differences for leptin levels were found, but both groups had a significant reduction of leptin levels between periods (p <0.001). GO had children with lower birth weight (p = 0.022), being classified as low (<2,500 g) or insufficient (2,500-2,999 g) weight.

Discussion: It is suggestive that the inflammatory pattern caused by obesity and periodontitis, mainly related to high levels of TNF-α, impair the babies' weight at birth, resulting in more frequency of low/insufficient weight at birth.