Maternal periodontal diseases affect the leukocyte profiles of umbilical cord blood: A cohort study

Abstract

<h2>Abstract</h2><h3>Aim</h3><p>This study evaluated the connection of periodontal status with the leukocyte profiles of maternal peripheral blood (MPB) and umbilical cord blood (UCB).</p><h3>Materials and Methods</h3><p>Ninety-nine pregnant females were recruited, and their data were collected via questionnaire and from medical records, including demographics, systemic conditions, complete blood count (CBC) and C-reaction protein (CRP) level in MPB. Full-mouth periodontal assessment was performed. CBC and CRP levels in UCB were measured after parturition.</p><h3>Results</h3><p>All subjects and their neonates were generally healthy. 30.3% of the participants presented with periodontal health condition, whereas 69.7% had different severities of periodontal diseases. The counts/percentages of eosinophils and monocytes in UCB from the subjects with periodontal diseases elevated, and the percentage of neutrophils decreased referencing to that from the counterparts (<em>p</em> < 0.05). There were positive correlations for total leukocyte count, neutrophils and lymphocytes counts/percentages in MPB and UCB among the periodontally healthy subjects (<em>r</em> > 0.4, <em>p</em> < 0.05), but such findings did not exist in those with periodontal diseases. Moreover, periodontal diseases independently accounted for the counts/percentages of neutrophils and eosinophils in UCB after controlling confounders in four testing models (ANCOVA, <em>p</em> < 0.05).</p><h3>Conclusion</h3><p>Maternal periodontal diseases could to some extent disturb the leukocyte profiles of umbilical cord blood.</p>