Messeir, Ilze2025-10-022025-10-022024https://hdl.handle.net/10566/20999Preterm birth (PTB), defined as delivery before 37 weeks of gestation, is a significant global public health concern. It has a tremendous impact on both the healthcare system and the individual families affected. Low birth weight (LBW), is a direct consequence of PTB or intrauterine growth restriction, and is a major determinant of neonatal infant morbidity and mortality. The primary aim of this study was to determine if the prevalence of Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans (Aa) serotypes in gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) stored for more than ten years could be used as microbial biomarkers to predict preterm delivery. The study samples included 185 samples from “preterm birth” and “normal birth” mothers with pregnancy gingivitis.enSerotypesPeriodontal diseaseDNA sequencingCytokinesPreterm birthThesis