The Iranian Journal of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Infertility

The Iranian Journal of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Infertility

The Effect of Pregnancy and Periodontal Disease on Salivary Tumor Necrosis Factor Alpha (TNFα)

Document Type : Original Article

Authors
Hojatollah Yousefimanesh 1
Maryam Gachpazani 2
Mahmoud Jahangirnezhad 3
Mehri Ghafourian Boroujerdnia 4
1 Assistant Professor, Department of Periodontology, School of Dentistry, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran.
2 Dentist, Department of Periodontology, School of Dentistry, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran.
3 Professor, Department of Periodontology, School of Dentistry, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran.
4 Professor, Department of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran.
10.22038/ijogi.2026.83784.6251
Abstract
Introduction: Periodontitis is a progressive inflammatory disease and the most common chronic human infection. Pregnancy is a factor associated with the prevalence of inflammation and is considered as a potential factor of periodontitis. One of the important inflammatory biomarkers is tumor necrosis factor (TNFα). The present study was conducted with aim to evaluate the relationship between TNFα and periodontitis during pregnancy.
Methods: This case-control study was conducted in 2014 at Imam Khomeini Hospital in Ahvaz and the School of Dentistry. A total of 40 pregnant women and 40 non-pregnant women were divided into two groups: those with periodontitis and those without periodontitis. Participants' saliva samples were prepared and the difference in TNFα concentration in saliva was checked by ELISA method. Data were analyzed using SPSS (version 22) and Kruskal–Wallis and Mann–Whitney U tests. P<0.05 was considered significant.
Results: TNFα concentration was not significant in pregnant and non-pregnant women without periodontitis (P=0.213), also TNFα concentration was not significant in pregnant and non-pregnant women with periodontitis (P=0.514). The highest salivary TNFα concentration was observed in pregnant women with periodontitis and the lowest salivary TNFα concentration in pregnant women without periodontitis. Despite the mean difference between the two groups, TNFα concentration did not have a statistically significant difference (32.18±7.25 and 21.8±4, respectively, P>0.05).
Conclusion: The mean salivary TNFα concentration of healthy and periodontal groups was different, but no statistically significant difference was observed between any of the studied groups. However, periodic examinations are recommended and periodontal disease control during pregnancy is emphasized.
Keywords
Periodontitis
Pregnancy
Saliva
Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha
Subjects
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The Iranian Journal of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Infertility
Volume 29, Issue 4
June 2026
Pages 1-9