A BSTRACT Background & Objectives: Because of the inflammatory response to human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection and periodontitis risk of developing adverse pregnancy outcomes are high. There is a limited number of studies available in the literature regarding the association between periodontitis and adverse pregnancy outcomes, especially in HIV infection. So the main objective of the present study was to assess the risk of preterm low birth weight (PTLBW) associated with periodontitis among HIV seropositive pregnant women. Methods: The study sample consists of 216 HIV seropositive pregnant women with complete dental and medical history and the appointment for the follow-up visit was made after the delivery to assess the baby’s health.Gingivitis and periodontitis were assessed based on the bleeding on probing and clinical attachment levels at the first visit. Results: In our study, the majority of 96 (44.44%) of the gingivitis cases belong to “moderate gingivitis” and the majority of 62 (28.70%) of the periodontitis cases were found to be in the mild periodontitis category. The relative risk for women with gingivitis or periodontitis having a preterm birth, low birth weight, and PTLBW was not statistically significant. The trend of risk ratios was found to be increased over the severity of periodontitis. Conclusion: This study shows an association between adverse neonatal outcomes with moderate and severe periodontitis. But these results were not statistically significant. This study implicates the importance of oral health care in HIV-positive pregnant women.

Background: Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection in pregnancy was the most common complication in some developing countries. This has major implications for the management of pregnancy and birth. Periodontal disease in HIV-infected pregnant women leads to a hyperinflammatory state which may have an impact on developing fetus. Aim: The evaluation of gingival and periodontal health in HIV seropositive pregnant women. Methods: A sample of 432 HIV seropositive pregnant women visiting the antiretroviral therapy center from January 2016–December 2016 were included in the present study. Information concerning demographic profile, medical history, and oral health information was recorded in a case sheet pro forma. Several measures of periodontal health such as bleeding on probing, plaque index, pocket depth (PD), and clinical attachment loss were obtained and analyzed by using Chi-square test of independence andPvalue (P < 0.05, statistically significant). Results: Three hundred and ninety-six participants (91.6%) had gum bleeding on >1 tooth. In gingivitis, the distributions of mild, moderate, and severe gingivitis were about 64 (14.81%), 192 (44.44%), and 140 (32.41%) participants, respectively. Participants without periodontitis (without a single PD ≥4 mm) were about 202 (46.76%). Two hundred and thirty participants (53.2%) had periodontal pockets (≥4 mm) on ≥1 tooth. In periodontitis, the distributions of mild, moderate, and severe periodontitis were 28.70%, 15.74%, and 8.80%, respectively. Conclusion: Ninety-two percent of HIV pregnant women have shown gingival inflammation. Periodontitis was observed in 51% of HIV pregnant women. This observation strengthens the importance of oral health care in HIV-positive pregnant women.