estimation of tumor necrosis factor-α in chronic periodontitis and its co-relation with preterm gestation: a clinico biochemical study

Background: The aim of this study was to estimate the levels of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) in serum of healthy, term gestation women and periodontitis affected pre-term gestation women and to find out the association between TNF-α levels, gestational age and different periodontal variables in serum. Materials and Methods: Clinical parameters, including pocket depth, Russel′s periodontal indexes were recorded from 36 subjects divided into two groups based on presence of pocket beyond 5 mm and gestational age above or below 36 weeks. Blood samples from all 36 subjects were obtained from the fetal side of the umbilical cord of the term and pre-term gestation infants at delivery. Serum was separated from the collected blood samples and TNF-α from the resultant serum was quantified using enzyme linked immunosorbent assay essay. Results: The mean amounts of TNF-α was significantly higher in Group-II when compared to Group-I, which was statistically significant ( P < 0.001). Positive correlation was found between TNF-α concentration and Gestational age ( P < 0.001), Russel′s periodontal index ( P < 0.001), Pocket depth ( P < 0.001) which were statistically significant. A positive correlation was found between pocket depth, Russel′s periodontal index and gestational age ( R = −0.69, P < 0.001), ( R = −0.71, P < 0.001) i.e., when pocket depth (beyond 4 mm or above) and Russel′s periodontal index increase, estimated gestational age shows a steady decline. Conclusion: TNF-α concentrations correlated positively with the extent of periodontal destruction, Russel′s periodontal index score and gestational age, With increase in amount of periodontal destruction, there is a substantial increase in clinical parameters and TNF-α level in serum, which is inversely related to premature gestation.