Abstract Pre-eclampsia is a vascular disorder of pregnancy characterized by blood pressure and proteinuria and it is a major cause of maternal and perinatal mortality and morbidity worldwide. Several studies have suggested an association between periodontal diseases and pre-eclampsia. The aim of this study was to determine possible relationships between periodontal diseases and pre-eclampsia in Sudanese case control population at Khartoum hospitals, gynaecology departments. A total 100 cases and 100 controls were recruited in the study (200 women in total). A case control study was conducted with 100 cases (pre-eclamptic women with blood pressure > 140/90 mmHg and proteinurea > 300 mg/ 24 hours after 20 weeks of gestation) and 100 controls (non-pre-eclamptic healthy pregnant women who delivered singleton infant). Periodontal indices were used including plaque index, gingival index, probing pocket depth and clinical attachment loss using University of Michigan probe with William’s markings. Associated risk factors for pre-eclampsia were recorded in the questionnaire. Insignificant association was found between periodontal disease and pre- eclampsia, but significant association with regard to severity of periodontal disease with P-value 0.000 after adjustment for some risk factors. this study concluded that a poor periodontal health status of a mother might be possible risk factors for pre-eclampsia.
Keywords Periodontitis, Pre-eclampsia, Risk Factor, Pregnancy.