Oral health status of pregnant women with iron deficiency anemia in the Volgograd region

Introduction: Iron deficiency anemia presents a significant challenge in obstetric practice, dramatically increasing the risks of preterm labour, placental insufficiency, intrauterine hypotrophy and maternal complications. Along with obstetric risks, iron deficiency anemia has a pronounced negative impact on the oral health of pregnant women. The purpose of the study: To explore the impact of iron deficiency anemia on oral health status of pregnant women in the Volgograd region. Research methodology: A comprehensive study of 700 pregnant women aged 18–35 was conducted. The main group consisted of 310 female patients with iron deficiency anemia. The control group included 390 women without no abnormalities. The dental examination involved the assessment of the prevalence and intensity of dental caries, as well as periodontal and oral tissues. The results of the study: In comparison with the patients in the control group, pregnant women with iron deficiency anemia had a higher prevalence of dental caries (99.8 % versus 97.2 %), a higher intensity of carious lesions (DMFT index 14.3 vs 10,3), and a significantly higher increase in new carious lesions during gestation (2.3 vs 0.8, p 0,001). The prevalence of periodontal diseases in pregnant women with iron deficiency anemia was 85.6 % versus 74.5 %, p 0,05, whereas generalized gingivitis was diagnosed in 48.5 % of women with anemia versus 23.4 % in the control group, p 0,05. Oral lesions were detected in 31.9 % of pregnant women without anemia while 42.8 % of pregnant women with iron deficiency anemia had clinical manifestations of sideropenic syndrome including exfoliative and angular cheilitis, desquamative glossitis, pallor and mucosal atrophy, p 0,05. We established that in 36.8 % of women, oral lesions appeared before the systemic symptoms of anemia, thus suggesting that oral health deterioration among the cohort of pregnant women with iron deficiency anemia was an early predictor of IDA. Conclusion: The obtained results substantiate the need for a multidisciplinary tailored approach to pregnancy care. Multidisciplinary team management of pregnant women with iron deficiency anemia, including undergoing regular dental checkups, oral sanitation and dynamic monitoring of serum iron levels is crucial for succesful pregnancy outcomes and maternal and newborn health.