Evaluation of Hormonal and Immune Changes in Pregnant Woman with Gingivitis

Abstract

Pregnancy is accompanied by marked hormonal and immunological changes that may influence oral tissues and increase susceptibility to gingival inflammation. Gingivitis is commonly observed among pregnant women and is often aggravated by these physiological alterations. Therefore, this study evaluated hormonal and immunological changes in pregnant women with gingivitis compared with healthy pregnant and healthy non-pregnant women. The study included three groups, pregnant women with gingivitis, healthy pregnant women, and healthy non-pregnant women. Besides serum levels of reproductive hormones including FSH, LH, estradiol, progesterone, and prolactin, as well as inflammatory cytokines were measured and analyzed using one-way ANOVA. Estradiol, progesterone, and prolactin were significantly higher, whereas FSH and LH were lower in pregnant women. Inflammatory cytokines were also significantly elevated in pregnant women with gingivitis, indicating increased susceptibility to gingival inflammation during pregnancy for maternal and fetal.