This subproject is one of many research subprojects utilizing theresources provided by a Center grant funded by NIH/NCRR. The subproject andinvestigator (PI) may have received primary funding from another NIH source,and thus could be represented in other CRISP entries. The institution listed isfor the Center, which is not necessarily the institution for the investigator.We hypothesize the development of gestational diabetes (GDM) during pregnancy results in oxidative stress, with an associated impaired antibody response, ultimately resulting in the development or progression of periodontal disease. GDM is important clinically, as adverse neonatal outcomes have been associated with this condition. Adverse outcomes include neonatal macrosomia, hypoglycemia, hyperbilirubinemia and metabolic disturbances. Millions of health care dollars are spent each year attempting to optimize maternal blood sugar control, to prevent these adverse outcomes. An understanding of the mechanisms leading to the development of GDM would be of tremendous benefit.Periodontal disease is likely to be a contributing factor to the high rate of premature birth in diabetic women, and is a potentially modifiable risk factor contributing to the ethnic disparities in the rate of preterm delivery in this Asian and Pacific Islander (API) population. Preterm delivery is a major healthcare problem affecting one in ten births and is the leading cause of neonatal death and long term disability. We will determine organisms involved in periodontal disease in diabetic and non-diabetic pregnant women from this pilot study. This case control study will enable us to obtain preliminary data on the maternal stress and antibody response to periodontal infection in GDM and non-diabetic mothers. This will enable us to proceed with our RO1 application where in addition to studying the relationship between GDM and periodontal disease, we will determine if periodontal disease increases the risk of preterm birth (gestational age less than 37 weeks) in our population of API women.
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