Effect of pre-pregnancy body mass index and gestational weight gain on fetal outcome

Abstract

Fetaldevelopment and growth in uterus is most critical. Most commonly used indicator is birth weight for determining well-being of infant. Body mass index (BMI) of mother before pregnancy, pregnancy weight gain, and other factors related to behavior, socio-cultural as well as genetics influence the birth weight. To study effect of pre-pregnancy BMI and gestational weight gain on fetal outcomeHospital-based follow-up study was carried out among 189 antenatal women. Gestational age, weight, height, BMI and fetal growth were recorded. Regular sonography was carried out to rule out fetal congenital abnormalities and fetal well-being. Daily fetal movement count, fetal heart rate monitoring was carried out daily. Estimation of the “total pregnancy weight gain” was done by subtracting last measured weight before delivery from weight recorded at first visit in first trimester. Birth weight of the neonate was recorded within 24 hours of delivery. BMI before pregnanacy was normal in Majority (75.1%). Underweight women earlier to conception had either normal Gestational weight gain (GWG) or less than normal GWG. Their babies also had significantly low average birth weight compared to either normal weight females or overweight and obese before conception. Overweight and obese females before conception had higher incidence of gestational diabetes (GDM) and cesarean section. Normal weight females before conception had higher incidence of Pregnancy induced hypertension.Being underweight before conception is a risk factor for low birth weight babies whereas being overweight and obese before pregnancy is a risk factor for GDM.