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

Aim: This study evaluated the connection of periodontal status with the leukocyte profiles of maternal peripheral blood (MPB) and umbilical cord blood (UCB).Materials and Methods: 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.Results: 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 (p < 0.05). There were positive correlations for total leukocyte count, neutrophils and lymphocytes counts/percentages in MPB and UCB among the periodontally healthy subjects (r > 0.4, p < 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, p < 0.05).Conclusion: Maternal periodontal diseases could to some extent disturb the leukocyte profiles of umbilical cord blood.

Automated summary

This study examined the relationship between periodontal status and leukocyte profiles in maternal peripheral blood (MPB) and umbilical cord blood (UCB). The results showed that periodontal diseases can affect the leukocyte profiles in UCB.