Study of relationship between maternal high body mass index and obstetrical outcome

Abstract

Background: Evaluate the impact of higher body mass index (BMI) on the maternal and perinatal outcome in pregnancies complicated by obesity.Methods: This is prospective cohort study conducted in obstetrics and gynaecology department. The 86 women with BMI>25 kg/m2 (cases) were compared with 90 women with BMI<25 kg/m2 (control) with regard to ante-natal complications, intervention in labour, maternal morbidity and neonatal outcome. Outcome of these variables in both groups were calculated statistically.Results: Obese women were significantly more likely to have gestational hypertension (OR=5.14; p=0.023) preeclampsia (OR=2.72; p=0.0445), gestational diabetes (OR=5.78; p=0.0133), abnormal weight gain (p=0.0001), induced labour (OR=2.26; p=0.04), cesarean delivery (OR=3.09; p=0.001), wound infection (OR=2.59; p=0.01) and adverse neonatal outcome.Conclusions: Obesity is an independent risk factor for adverse pregnancy outcomes and hence preventable steps should be taken for reducing the maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality.