High Body Mass Index in Pregnancy, Its Effects on Maternal and Fetal Outcome

Abstract

Background : To examine the maternal and foetal risks of adverse pregnancy outcome in obese women (BMI > 30). Methods : This study is a prospective non randomized descriptive study conducted in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology of KIMS in Narketpally from April 2007 to April 2009, 100 women with high BMI were compared with 100 women with normal BMI with regard to ante-natal complications, intervention in labour, maternal morbidity and neonatal outcome. Results: Compared to women with normal BMI, the following outcomes were significantly more common in obese pregnant women (odds ratio (95% confidence interval)) for BMI > 30 gestational diabetes mellitus (4.8 (1.01 - 3.02)); pre-eclampsia ( 2.52 (1.04 - 6.11 )) ; macrosomia ( 13.8 (3.1 - 60.57)) ; caesarean section ( 3.45 (1.65 - 7.15)) and infections ( 1.7 (0.39 - 7.32)). Conclusions: This study points out a strong association between maternal morbid obesity in early pregnancy and a number of threatening complications during pregnancy, delivery, and in the neonatal period. doi:10.4021/jcgo2w