Nitin H. Dani, Amol M. Beldar  , Smita U. Khedkar  , Suyasha K. Andhale

ABSTRACT

Purpose: Increased sex hormones during pregnancy exaggerate gingival tissue response to plaque. Diabetes can cause change in plaque micro-flora and modify the host response. Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) affects approximately 4-10% of all pregnancies and is associated with significantly increased risks of maternal and infant morbidity and developing diabetes in later life, but its effect on maternal periodontal health is not well documented. Hence this study was performed to assess effect of gestational diabetes on plaque micro flora and periodontal health. Methods: The study was conducted in pregnant women and consisted of two groups: Gestational diabetes mellitus patients (GDM) and non gestational diabetes mellitus patients (NGDM). The periodontal parameters measured were Plaque Index (PI), Gingival Index (GI), Gingival Recession (GR), Probing Pocket Depth (PPD) and Clinical Attachment Loss (CAL). Bacteriological sampling and culture were done to check the microbial flora of the plaque. The results were analyzed and depicted statistically. Results: There was a significant difference in the three of periodontal parameters of both the groups i.e. PI, GI and GR. After bacteriological culture and sampling the GDM patients showed a significant difference in the number of colony count as well as gm-ve rods. Conclusions: Gestational Diabetes resulted in anaerobic rod dominated plaque micro-flora which could have resulted in increased severity of periodontal disease in such patients.