A bacteria commonly found in the mouths of otherwise healthy people has been linked to the death of a human fetus. The bacteria, known as Fusobacterium nucleatum, was identified as the cause of death of the stillborn infant, and was matched to the bacteria found in the mother's mouth.
The study's lead researcher Yiping Han, from Department of Periodontics at Case Western Reserve University School of Dental Medicine says that previous research found the bacteria in the amneotic fluid of babies born prematurely. Because the bacteria was commonly present in the mouth, she suspected it could enter the mother's bloodstream through infected gums and later cross the placenta and harm the baby. But this study is the first time a direct match was made in humans between an infected mother and child.
Gingivitis is common during pregnancy explains Han, who warns pregnant mothers that this is all the more reason to take extra care of their oral health.
HAN: If you don't take care of your oral health, you many not just lose a tooth, you may lose a baby
The study will appear in the February issue of Obsetrics and Gynecology. Gretchen Cuda, 90.3