Preventive Measures to Reduce the Transfer of Streptococcus mutans from Pregnant Women to Their Babiesy

Abstract

Background/purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate the transfer of Streptococcus mutans to babies from prospective mothers in whom protective measures were carriedout and who were trained in dental health care. Materials and methods: Pregnant women were given fluoride varnish and restoration of active caries onceduring their pregnancy. Noapplication offluoride or restorationwas given to the control group. Microbiological samples were taken after delivery of the babies in the control and study groups and after the babies had completed their 8th week, to obtain S. mutans isolation plaque samples. Colonies of S. mutanswere calculated as colony-forming units (cfu). Sampleswere determined to be positive when both tests showed the presence of S. mutans. After the colonies were counted, the number of colonies was graded as 0, not-visible; 1, <103 cfu; 2, 103e10 5 cfu; and 3, >105 cfu. Statistical analyseswere performedwith the ShapiroeWilk test, Student's t test, x2 analysis, Wilcoxon test, Spearman's correlation analysis, and Fisher's exact test using SPSS software. Results: After applying the preventive treatment programin the test group, statistically significant differences in both the plaque index and the number of S. mutans colonies were observed (P=0.001). Therewas a significant relationship of the number of S. mutans colonies of the control and test groups with those of the babies (r=0.336, P=0.009). Conclusions: Streptococcusmutans is commonly transferred frommothers to their babies, and the preventive programapplied to the pregnantwomen reduced both theamount of plaque and S.mutans colonization and thus had a positive effect. © 2011, Association for Dental Sciences of the Republic of China. Published by Elsevier Taiwan LLC. All rights reserved.