Maternal and fetal outcomes in pregnancies complicated by overweight and obesity

Abstract

BackgroundOverweight and obesity are associated with pregnancy complications and adverse perinatal outcomes, posing short and long-term risks for maternal and child health. This study evaluated maternal, delivery and neonatal outcomes in pregnancies complicated by overweight and obesity.MethodsThis prospective cross-sectional study included 258 pregnant women. According to prepregnancy body mass index (BMI), participants were classified as normal weight, overweight, or obese. Data were analyzed using the chi-square test and analysis of variance followed by the Tukey test. Logistic regression was performed to calculate odds ratios and 95 % confidence intervals (p < 0.05).ResultsMost women ≥ 35 years old were overweight (22.7 %) and obese (27.6 %). Prepregnancy diabetes was significantly associated with obesity (15.7 %, p < 0.000). Obese women showed the lowest weight gain (9.6 ± 7.5Kg). Overweight and obese women practiced physical exercise more frequently (p = 0.010) than normal weight women. A greater proportion of obese mothers (13.4 %) had large for gestational age babies (p = 0.021), with higher thoracic circumference (33.6 ± 2.0 cm) and abdominal circumference (31.6 ± 2.3 cm). Obesity increased the risk of developing hypertension (OR = 7.0; 3.1-15.9), hyperglycemic disturbances (OR = 5.5; 2.9-10.6) and HbA1c ≥ 6.5 % (OR = 3.7; 1.2-11.1). The infants born to obese mothers had longer hospital stay (3.9 ± 3.9 days) (p = 0.005).ConclusionOur results confirm that obesity in pregnancy can lead to adverse outcomes, and underscore the importance of identifying and treating inadequate weight status during pregnancy.

Hyperglycemia recognised in early pregnancy is phenotypically type 2 diabetes mellitus not gestational diabetes mellitus: a case control study

“…Requirement for insulin therapy, hypertensive disorders, preterm delivery, and caesarean sections were all more prevalent in women with pre-existing diabetes and early gestational diabetes. Maternal age and obesity are independent risk factors for adverse maternofetal outcomes including macrosomia and pregnancyrelated hypertensive disorders [10,11]. Significant variations existed in the mean age and prepregnancy BMI across the four groups in the Australian study.…”

Impact of Pregestational Weight and Weight Gain during Pregnancy on Long-Term Risk for Diseases

“…The causes of death were predominantly coronary heart disease, stroke and cancer [2]. In obese and overweight women, pregnancies and deliveries are more often associated with hypertension, preeclampsia and gestational diabetes, and higher frequency of infants that are large for gestational age [3]. These immediate complications of obesity are well known, but the long-term consequences for the health of these women are understudied.…”

Prevalence, associated factors, and outcomes for labor induction at a tertiary hospital in Northern Tanzania: A retrospective cohort study 2000 - 2015

“…Maternal obesity has been associated by with not only adverse outcomes for mothers and newborns but also to a need of additional obstetric interventions like IOL [41,42]. The current study revealed that there was a 12% an increased risk of IOL among obese women compared to those with normal BMI.…”