Maternal Body Mass Index And The Risk Of Hypertensive Disease In Pregnancy - A Study Of An Urban Population Of Ghana

Abstract

Background: Hypertensive disease in pregnancy accounts for about 10-15% of maternal deaths in sub-Saharan Africa and Asia. The relationship between maternal BMI and Hypertensive disease in pregnancy has received limited attention especially in these lowandmiddle-income settings. This study aimed to quantitatively describe the relationship between maternal BMI in the first half of pregnancy and the risk of developing hypertensive disease later in pregnancy.Methodology: A prospective cohort of pregnant women attending antenatal clinic at 37 Military Hospital, Accra between 15 June 2015 and 22nd March 2016 was conducted. A total of 196 consenting expectant mothers in the first half of pregnancy who met the inclusioncriteria were recruited based on their BMI classification as normal or abnormal. They were followed up at regular antenatal visits till delivery. At these visits, repeated measurements of weight and blood pressure were taken. Univariate and multivariate statistical analysis taking into account the other risk factors for hypertensive disease in pregnancy was performed. Level of significance was set at p<0.05.Results: Maternal BMI in the first half of pregnancy was significantly associated with developing hypertensive disease in pregnancy in second half of pregnancy. About 10 % of normal BMI mothers and 14% of abnormal BMI mothers developed hypertensive disease respectively. An increase in BMI within each BMI category was associated with an increased risk of developing Hypertensive disease in pregnancy.Conclusion: Promoting a healthy maternal BMI in the first half of pregnancy may help reduce the risk of hypertensive disease later in pregnancy.