Increased Risk of Placental Abruption in Underweight Women

Abstract

We sought to determine if there is a relationship between prepregnancy underweight status and placental abruption. We utilized the Missouri maternally linked cohort data files covering the period 1989 through 1997. We estimated the association between prepregnancy underweight subtypes and placental abruption using adjusted odds ratios. Subanalyses were performed to determine whether the amount of weight gained during pregnancy could modify the association. A total of 439,235 singleton pregnancies with 3696 abruptions were analyzed. Underweight mothers had a 40% greater likelihood for placental abruption (odds ratio 1.4; 95% confidence interval 1.3 to 1.5). The risk increased with ascending severity of underweight status ( P for trend <0.01). There was a trend toward decreased risk for placental abruption among underweight women with adequate weight gain in pregnancy. Prepregnancy maternal underweight status is associated with placental abruption. This risk may be reduced with adequate weight gain during pregnancy.

Pre‐pregnancy BMI: Costs associated with maternal underweight and obesity in Queensland

“…Maternal underweight was also linked to excess hospital costs, although this was mainly due to higher costs associated with baby admissions. This makes intuitive sense, as babies born to women who are underweight are at increased risk of adverse perinatal outcomes, including prematurity, low birth weight and small for gestational age . ICU/SCN costs contributed to most of the differential, suggesting that the excess cost reflects the increased resources required to treat ‘at‐risk’ babies.…”

“…Studies have consistently shown overweight and obesity to be associated with complications such as gestational diabetes, hypertension, macrosomia and still birth . Women who are underweight are also at increased risk of adverse outcomes, including preterm birth, placental abruption, miscarriage, low birth weight and small for gestational age …”

Genetic Analysis of Low BMI Phenotype in the Utah Population Database

“…In females, low BMI during childhood and adolescence increases women's risk for later endometriosis [12], preterm birth [13], low infant birth weight [14] and increased risk for placental abruption [15]. Infants born to mothers with low BMI have an increased risk for atrial septal defect, genital abnormalities including hypospadias [16].…”

Placental Abruption and Analysis of Risk Factors

“…[15] Deutsch et al showed in their study conducted in 2010 that placental abruption risk was increasing in slim women (OR=1.4; 95% CI: 1.3-1.5). [16] Salihu et al indi- cated that placental abruption risk was increasing if weekly weight gaining of pregnant women with normal weight is ≤0.22 kg/week (aOR=1.8; 95% CI: 1.5-2.2), and the risk was decreasing in obese women. [17] In our study, mean BMI was found as 29.3±4.8 in the group with confirmed placental abruption diagnosis, but there was no significant difference when groups were compared.…”