STORY: PREECLAMPSIA

SCRIPT #601 SHOOT: 4/12/05

AIRDATE: Monday, April 18, 2005

Daybreak and Midday

DHC Master #20 Timecode: 59:46 Pregnant women who suddenly develop

high blood pressure may need to see

their obstetrician AND their dentist.

Dr. Linda Niessen explains why in today's

SOVT: 1:32 segment of Dental Health Check.

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PREGNANT WOMAN (VOICE-OVER)

IN DENTAL OFFICE

New scientific evidence

links chronic gum infection with

high blood pressure in pregnant women.

That condition, called preeclampsia,

endangers the life of both the mother

and the unborn baby.

LAB TESTING Researchers found protein levels in

the women with preeclampsia were

almost three times greater than

women in the healthy group.

That protein is called a cytokine.

SUPER: Dr. Ronald Stukalin ("A cytokine is a circulating protein

Periodontist :25-30 throughout the body that is part of the

process of inflammation.")

MORE WITH PREGNANCY Preeclampsia or high blood pressure

during pregnancy affects one in 20

pregnant women. It is a leading

cause of death in both mothers

and babies.

DR. STUKALIN ("Well, we're starting to see that there

may be a link with this circulating

cytokine stimulating some problems.

In women who have had periodontal

problems or gum problems, we're seeing

that there is a higher incidence of these

women having preeclampsia.")

MORE PREGNANCY The link between high blood pressure

and gum disease needs further study.

But scientists agree on one simple fact:

inflamed or swollen gum tissue creates severe problems during pregnancy.

PREMATURE BABIES Other studies have linked mothers with gum

disease to low birth weight babies as a result of premature labor and delivery.

ON CAMERA (STAND-UP CLOSE)

SUPER: Dr. Linda Niessen 1:20-`1:25 Pregnant women should see their dentist

Baylor College of Dentistry at least once during the nine months, and

more often if they have signs of periodontal

disease. For Baylor College of Dentistry,

Texas A&M Health Science Center, I'm Dr.

Linda Niessen, Channel 8 News.

For Websites:

Study mentioned in story published in

March 23, 2005 issue of Journal of Periodontology:

"Pregnancy Complication Associated with Periodontal Destruction."

Article can be found at www.perio.org

For more information:

Visit website of American Academy of Periodontology

www.perio.org For general advice, read the article "Dental Care

for a Healthy Pregnancy."