Relationship of Pre-pregnancy BMI, Gestational Anaemia and Weight Gain During Pregnancy with Birth Outcomes of Selected Indian Women

Abstract

Maternal weight before and throughout pregnancy is clearly tied to maternal and neonatal health outcomes, and excessive gestational weight gain (GWG) is linked to a diversity of short and long term maternal and child complications. The focus of this research is to determine the relationship between pre-pregnancy BMI and gestational weight gain in mothers and birth outcomes, as well as to investigate socio-demographic factors that influence pre-pregnancy BMIs and GWG, as well as the consequences of pre-pregnancy BMI and GWG on maternal and infant complications in Coimbatore. It’s a Prospective observational study using random sampling technique to select the 421 pregnant women between the ages of 18 and 35 visiting clinics and super speciality hospitals for pregnancy confirmation tests during August to April, 2021. Regression analysis was employed to evaluate the socio-demographic factors affecting pre-pregnancy BMI and GWG values and their effects on adverse maternal and infant complications. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that age groups 26-30 years (OR: 0.652) and living in rural area (OR: 2.375) were risk factors in maintaining a normal pre-pregnancy BMI. An age range of 26-30 years (OR: 0.478), living in rural area (OR: 2.512) with nuclear family (OR: 0.599) were factors affecting GWG. Overweight pregnant women were lower to suffer anemia (OR: 1.935) and GDM (OR: 1.162) and higher to deliver low birth weight (OR: 1.996) compared to normal weight pregnant women and both inadequate and excessive GWG were not at the risk for low birth weights. Overweight before pregnancy is linked to a higher chance of having low-birth-weight babies, according to the study. Body weight control before and during pregnancy is indicated to reduce unfavorable pregnancy outcomes, particularly in pregnant women aged 21 to 30 years old and those women who reside in rural areas with nuclear families.