I chewed ‘xylitol gum’ regularly during my pregnancy… Chances of a low birth weight ‘drop’ baby [수민이가 궁금해요]

Research has shown that xylitol gum (sugar-free gum that contains xylitol) once or twice a day during pregnancy can be very helpful in preventing premature birth. Sugar-free gum reduces the number of decay-causing bacteria on the surface of teeth, prevents plaque build-up and helps prevent gum disease.

Dr. Greg Valentine, associate professor of pediatrics at the University of Washington School of Medicine, who published the results of the research in the academic journal Med on the 13th (local time), said, “The probability that a birth will be diagnosed as low- Infant weight was reduced by 30% in the group of pregnant women who chewed xylitol gum.” “We were all amazed that such a simple method could lead to such a big change,” he said.

This study was conducted over a three-year period from May 2015 to October 2018, dividing approximately 10,000 pregnant women into two groups. During the study period, 4,549 pregnant women chewed xylitol gum, while the other 5,520 women received standard medication. Pregnant women who participated in the study chewed xylitol gum from the beginning of pregnancy until delivery.

“Periodontal disease is known to be associated with preterm birth,” said Dr. Valentine “This study is particularly important in Maliwi, where approximately 70% of pregnant women suffer with gum disease.

Research results from Harvard University Medical School in the United States also revealed that xylitol gum can improve oral health, including reducing gum disease in pregnant women, and helping to prevent premature births. fast

This is the result of a 10-year study conducted by Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center at Harvard University Medical School on more than 10,000 women working at eight public health centers in Malawi, Africa.

The research team educated participants about oral health management and prenatal prevention. In addition, about 50% of the participants were asked to chew xylitol gum once or twice a day for 10 minutes during their pregnancy.

According to the study results, the probability of preterm delivery among pregnant women who chewed xylitol gum during pregnancy was 12.6%, and the probability of preterm delivery among women who were pregnant who did not chew xylitol gum at 16.5%. The probability of the former giving birth early is about 24% (3.9 percentage points) lower than the latter.

Specifically, pregnant women who chewed xylitol gum during pregnancy had a lower risk of having a baby with a birth weight of less than 2.5 kg (5.5 pounds). Oral health also improved significantly.

The findings were presented at a virtual meeting of the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine.

At the same time, xylitol also has side effects.

Xylitol, a sugar substitute, was linked to an increased risk of heart attack, stroke or cardiovascular-related death, according to US researchers published in the European Heart Journal in June.

Reporter Kim Ki-hwan kkh@segye.com

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