Abstract
BackgroundPre-pregnancy weight and weight gained during pregnancy significantly influence maternal and infant health. Little information is available regarding optimal gestational weight gain (GWG) in relation to pre-pregnancy body mass index (BMI) in Uganda. The study aimed at determining gestational weight gain (GWG) in women pregnant for the first and second time.MethodsThe study was prospective cohort study which included 221 HIV negative women pregnant for the first or second time. It was conducted in the antenatal clinic of the directorate of gynecology and obstetrics, Mulago hospital and women were recruited at ≤18 weeks of gestation by dates. Follow up measurements were done at 26 and 36 weeks gestation. Measured maternal height and reported pre-pregnancy weight were used to calculate BMI. Depending on BMI category, GWG was categorized as inadequate, adequate and excessive based on the Uganda Ministry of Health guidelines.ResultsThe participants’ mean ± standard deviation (Sd) age was 20.9 ± 2.7 years and mean ± Sd BMI was 21.40 ± 2.73 kg/m2. None of the participants was obese and 68.8% (n = 132) were pregnant for the first time. The mean ± Sd GWG at time of delivery was 10.58 ± 2.44 kg. Inadequate GWG was recorded in 62.5% (n = 120/192) while only 3.1% (n = 6/192) of the participants gained excessive weight during pregnancy.ConclusionAbout 62% of pregnant women in Kampala did not gain adequate weight during their first/second pregnancy. We recommend that studies be carried out to assess whether the Uganda Ministry of Health recommendations for weight gain during are appropriate for preventing adverse pregnancy outcomes across populations in Uganda.
Highlights
Pre-pregnancy weight and weight gained during pregnancy significantly influence maternal and infant health
In Uganda, little information is available regarding the weight gained by women during pregnancy
The study aimed at determining gestational weight gain (GWG) in women pregnant for the first and second time
Summary
Pre-pregnancy weight and weight gained during pregnancy significantly influence maternal and infant health. Pregnancy is a critical stage of development during which maternal nutrition strongly influence obstetric and neonatal outcomes [1]. In Uganda, just as in other developing countries, maternal undernutrition and inadequate gestational weight gain (GWG) are very common [3,4,5]. The prevalence of obesity or overweight in pregnancy is rising and is of international concern [6]. Both excessive and inadequate GWG are associated with many adverse maternal and fetal outcomes, either at short or long term [3, 7, 8]. If a woman gains excessive gestational weight and fails to return to her pre-pregnancy weight after delivery, the retained weight has long term health effects on a woman and adds a burden to future health care cost in the society [9]
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