No abstract

The aim of the study was to analyse gestational weight gain (GWG) according to body mass index (BMI) category and to explore the relationship between GWG and pregnancy complications. Women were recruited in the 1st trimester. Weight and height were measured and BMI calculated. Weight was measured at 38 weeks' gestation and GWG calculated. Clinical details were obtained prospectively. Of the 604 women recruited, 45.5% were primigravidas and 25.2% were obese. The overall mean GWG was 11.6 kg (SD 6.0). In obese women, the mean GWG was 10.4 kg (SD 7.5) compared with 12.6 kg (SD 5.7) in the normal BMI category (p < 0.001). Maternal obesity but not increased GWG was associated with an increased risk of induction of labour, caesarean section and pre-eclampsia. It was concluded that obese women were more likely to exceed GWG recommendations, despite lower GWG than non-obese women. Maternal obesity and not GWG increased the risk of pregnancy complications.

Gestational weight gain (GWG) in pregnancy has become an important issue in modern obstetrics. Concerns about rising obesity levels and the effect of excessive GWG are so great that the Institute of Medicine (IOM) has published new guidelines for weight gain during pregnancy. The purpose of this study was to prospectively analyse GWG according to the IOM recommendations for each BMI category. Maternal weight and height were measured and BMI calculated in early pregnancy. Women were recruited at term, weight was measured and GWG calculated. The IOM recommends GWG of 12.7–18.1kg for normal weight, 11.4–15.9kg for overweight and 5.0–9.1kg for obese women. At recruitment women were asked whether they received advice about GWG from a healthcare provider. Of the 604 women enrolled the mean age was 29.5 (5.1) years, the mean parity was 0.8 (SD1.0) and the mean BMI was 26.7 (5.6) kg/m2. The mean GWG was 12.6 (5.7) kg, 11.9 (5.2) kg, and 9.3 (6.6) kg for normal weight, overweight and obese women respectively. Appropriate GWG occurred in 32.9%, 34.1% and 28.1% of the groups respectively. More than the recommended GWG occurred in 10.7%, 20.1% and 53.8% of normal weight, overweight and obese women respectively. Only 6.5% of women received advice on GWG by a healthcare professional. We found that despite lower mean GWG one third of overweight and obese women attending our antenatal services gained more than the IOM recommendations for GWG. Furthermore, very few women received advice regarding GWG in pregnancy.

001, Table). Specifically, the incidence of urinary tract infection, gastroenteritis, acute otitis, and upper respiratory tract infection, was significantly higher among the exposed group. The survival curve indicated that children exposed in-utero to asthma had a higher cumulative incidence of long-term infectiousrelated hospitalizations (Figure, Log rank<0.001). In the Cox proportional hazards model, adjusted for maternal age, gestational age, maternal diabetes and hypertension, maternal asthma remained independently associated with an increased risk for infectiousrelated hospitalizations in the offspring (HR-1.4, 95% CI 1.32-1.59, p<0.001). CONCLUSION: Maternal asthma during pregnancy appears to be a significant risk factor for long-term pediatric infectious morbidity in the offspring.