The Global Burden of Obesity on Pregnancy Outcomes in the Developed World [17Q

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Essentially all major complications of pregnancy are more likely to occur in the obese gravida when compared to women with normal body mass indices. The purpose of this study was to estimate as accurately as possible, the quantitative burden of obesity on pregnancy outcomes in the developed world. METHODS: Pooled odds ratios for outcomes of interest related to maternal overweight and obesity were extracted from previously published meta-analyses. Rates of overweight and obesity in adult women in the Group of Eight countries were corrected for the decreased incidence in women prior pregnancy. The prevalence of each adverse outcome was extracted from published literature. Together this information was used to calculate the population attributable fraction that can be attributed to overweight and obesity each year for each outcome. RESULTS: Each year an estimated 3,168 stillbirths, 3,610 infant deaths, 570,449 cesarean deliveries, 1,105 neural tube defects, 780 cases of congenital heart defects, and 135,258 cases of preeclampsia can be attributed to maternal obesity in the Group of Eight countries. Calculations were also performed for maternal overweight. CONCLUSION: While the negative impact of maternal overweight and obesity is well known, it becomes easy to lose sight of the human cost of these increased odds ratios. By estimating the number of attributable cases this study humanizes the burden of overweight and obesity in the perinatal setting. Furthermore, this detailed estimate assists in the prioritization of public health efforts in the treatment and prevention of obesity and research into its proper management in pregnancy.