Antenatal Lifestyle Intervention Research Articles

Key Components of Antenatal Lifestyle Interventions to Optimize Gestational Weight Gain

Randomized clinical trials have found that antenatal lifestyle interventions optimize gestational weight gain (GWG) and pregnancy outcomes. However, key components of successful interventions for implementation have not been systematically identified. To evaluate intervention components using the Template for Intervention Description and Replication (TIDieR) framework to inform implementation of antenatal lifestyle interventions in routine antenatal care. Included studies were drawn from a recently published systematic review on the efficacy of antenatal lifestyle interventions for optimizing GWG. The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, Database of Abstracts of Reviews of Effects, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Health Technology Assessment Database, MEDLINE, and Embase were searched from January 1990 to May 2020. Randomized clinical trials examining efficacy of antenatal lifestyle interventions in optimizing GWG were included. Random effects meta-analyses were used to evaluate the association of intervention characteristics with efficacy of antenatal lifestyle interventions in optimizing GWG. The results are reported according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses reporting guideline. Data extraction was performed by 2 independent reviewers. The main outcome was mean GWG. Measures included characteristics of antenatal lifestyle interventions comprising domains related to theoretical framework, material, procedure, facilitator (allied health staff, medical staff, or researcher), delivery format (individual or group), mode, location, gestational age at commencement (<20 wk or ≥20 wk), number of sessions (low [1-5 sessions], moderate [6-20 sessions], and high [≥21 sessions]), duration (low [1-12 wk], moderate [13-20 wk], and high [≥21 wk]), tailoring, attrition, and adherence. For all mean differences (MDs), the reference group was the control group (ie, usual care). Overall, 99 studies with 34 546 pregnant individuals were included with differential effective intervention components found according to intervention type. Broadly, interventions delivered by an allied health professional were associated with a greater decrease in GWG compared with those delivered by other facilitators (MD, -1.36 kg; 95% CI, -1.71 to -1.02 kg; P < .001). Compared with corresponding subgroups, dietary interventions with an individual delivery format (MD, -3.91 kg; 95% CI -5.82 to -2.01 kg; P = .002) and moderate number of sessions (MD, -4.35 kg; 95% CI -5.80 to -2.89 kg; P < .001) were associated with the greatest decrease in GWG. Physical activity and mixed behavioral interventions had attenuated associations with GWG. These interventions may benefit from an earlier commencement and a longer duration for more effective optimization of GWG. These findings suggest that pragmatic research may be needed to test and evaluate effective intervention components to inform implementation of interventions in routine antenatal care for broad public health benefit.

Evidence of lifestyle interventions in a pregnant population with chronic hypertension and/or pre-existing diabetes: A systematic review and narrative synthesis.

Pregnant people with chronic hypertension, pre-existing diabetes or both are at high risk of developing cardiovascular disease. Lifestyle interventions play an important role in disease management in non-pregnant populations. To review the existing evidence of randomised controlled trials (RCTs) that examine lifestyle interventions in pregnant people with chronic hypertension and/or pre-existing diabetes. A systematic review and narrative synthesis was conducted. Five electronic databases were searched from inception to April 2021 for RCTs evaluating antenatal lifestyle interventions in people with chronic hypertension and/or pre-existing diabetes with outcomes to include weight or blood pressure change. Nine randomised controlled trials including 7438 pregnant women were eligible. Eight studies were mixed pregnant populations that included women with chronic hypertension and/or pre-existing diabetes. One study included only pregnant women with pre-existing diabetes. Intervention characteristics and procedures varied and targeted diet, physical activity and/or gestational weight. All studies reported weight and one study reported blood pressure change. Outcome data were frequently unavailable for the subset of women of interest, including subgroup data on important pregnancy and birth complications. Eligibility criteria were often ambiguous and baseline data on chronic hypertension was often omitted. A lack of primary interventional trials examining the effect of lifestyle interventions on weight and blood pressure outcomes in pregnant populations with chronic hypertension and/or pre-existing diabetes was evident. Lifestyle modification has the potential to alter disease progression. Future trials should address the ambiguity and frequent exclusion of these important populations.

Effects of Antenatal Lifestyle Interventions in Pregnant Women with Normal Body Mass Index.

We aimed to explore the effect of lifestyle interventions on improving lifestyle behaviors on gestational weight gain in pregnant women with normal body mass index (BMI). The study was conducted in Maternal and Child Health Hospital of Hubei Province (Wuhan, China) between June 2020 and April 2022. A total of 355 pregnant women (<12 weeks of pregnancy) were enrolled and finally completed the program. Participants were divided into the intervention and control groups. The intervention group received an individualized lifestyle intervention focusing on healthy lifestyle, like diet, exercise, and weight monitoring as four sessions at 16-18, 20-24, 28-30 and 34 weeks' gestation. Participants in the control group received routine antenatal care. The weight of both group was recorded from pregnancy until 6-8 weeks postpartum. The participants in the intervention group with normal pre-pregnancy BMI (n = 178) had lower GWG, excessive GWG, hypertension, and neonate birth weight compared to the control group (n = 177, P<0.01). There were no statistically significant differences in the occurrence of gestational diabetes, premature labor, delivery mode, preterm birth, small for gestational age, macrosomia, number of neonates referred to the NICU, and postpartum weight retention. Even though lifestyle intervention in pregnant women with normal BMI has a relatively limited effect, attention should still be paid to reasonable weight gain during pregnancy and the potential long-term impact of the intervention remains to be assessed.

Implementation of Antenatal Lifestyle Interventions Into Routine Care

Lifestyle interventions in pregnancy optimize gestational weight gain and improve pregnancy outcomes, with implementation recommended by the US Preventive Services Task Force. Yet, implementation research taking these efficacy trials into pragmatic translation remains limited. To evaluate success factors for implementing pregnancy lifestyle interventions into antenatal care settings in a meta-analysis, using the penetration, implementation, participation, and effectiveness (PIPE) impact metric. Data from a previous systematic review that searched across 9 databases, including MEDLINE, Embase, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, Database of Abstracts of Reviews of Effects, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and Health Technology Assessment Database, were obtained, in 2 stages, up to May 6, 2020. Randomized clinical trials reporting gestational weight gain in singleton pregnancies. The association of penetration, implementation, and participation with effectiveness of antenatal lifestyle interventions in optimizing gestational weight gain was estimated using random-effects meta-analyses. The Cochrane risk of bias tool, version 1.0, was used to assess risk of bias. Penetration (reach), implementation (fidelity), participation, and effectiveness of randomized clinical trials of lifestyle interventions in pregnancy. Ninety-nine studies with 34 546 participants were included. Only 14 studies reported penetration of target populations. Overall, 38 studies (38.4%) had moderate fidelity, 25 (25.2%) had high fidelity, and 36 (36.4%) had unclear fidelity. Participation was reported in 84 studies (84.8%). Lifestyle interventions were associated with reducing gestational weight gain by 1.15 kg (95% CI, -1.40 to -0.91 kg). The findings of this systematic review and meta-analysis suggest that, despite the large body of evidence on efficacy of lifestyle interventions during pregnancy in optimizing gestational weight gain, little guidance is available to inform implementation of this evidence into practice. There is a need to better elucidate implementation outcomes in trial design alongside pragmatic implementation research to improve the health of women who are pregnant and the next generation.

Optimising weight gain in pregnancy: key challenges and solutions for maternal obesity prevention.

Pregnancy is a high-risk period for excess gestational weight gain and subsequent obesity development. Antenatal lifestyle interventions are prioritised to optimise weight, with current evidence demonstrating efficacy and associated reduction in risk of adverse maternal and neonatal outcomes. Yet, evidence to guide the field from efficacy-based to implementation research within real-world settings is lacking, and several key challenges remain. Here, we discuss key considerations to support the implementation of accessible, relevant, effective, and low-cost lifestyle interventions in routine pregnancy care. This includes identifying what components of lifestyle interventions are most effective, with pragmatic guidance on how to conduct implementation research, improving rigour in reporting to ensure learnings from implementation are captured, and recognising and addressing the socioecological aspects of obesity prevention, including supporting women living with socioeconomic disadvantage and reducing weight stigma.

An mHealth-Supported antenatal lifestyle intervention may be associated with improved maternal sleep in pregnancy: Secondary analysis from the PEARS trial.

To investigate the effect of an antenatal diet and exercise intervention during pregnancy on sleep duration. As a secondary objective, associations between sleep duration and gestational weight gain (GWG), maternal metabolic parameters and pregnancy outcomes were assessed. Secondary analysis. Large tertiary Maternity Hospital in Dublin, Ireland. 326 women with overweight or obesity who participated in the Pregnancy Exercise And Nutrition Research Study (PEARS) randomised controlled trial between March 2013 and August 2016. Secondary analysis of a randomised trial. Impact of the PEARS intervention on sleep duration, and association of sleep duration and maternal metabolic parameters, and pregnancy outcomes. Participants had a mean age of 32.5 ± 4.5 years and median (interquartile range [IQR]) body mass index of 28.3 (26.6-31.2) kg/m2 . The intervention group had a longer sleep duration in late pregnancy (mean difference 17.1 minutes (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.5-33.7) and a higher proportion achieving optimum sleep duration of 7-9 h (54.3 vs. 42.9%, relative risk [RR] 1.28 (95% CI 1.01-1.62). In late pregnancy, sleep duration of <6 h was associated with lower breastfeeding rates on discharge (RR 0.74, 95% CI 0.57-0.95) and higher triglyceride levels (mean difference 0.24, 95% CI 0.10-0.38). There were no significant associations between sleep and incidence of gestational diabetes mellitus or pre-eclampsia/toxaemia, or other metabolic parameters assessed (insulin, fasting glucose, HOMA-IR). A diet and exercise intervention from early pregnancy may promote longer and optimal sleep duration, with maternal benefits such as lower triglyceride levels and higher breastfeeding rates.

Child Anthropometrics and Neurodevelopment at 2 and 3 Years of Age Following an Antenatal Lifestyle Intervention in Routine Care-A Secondary Analysis from the Cluster-Randomised GeliS Trial.

Maternal characteristics around pregnancy may influence obesity risk and neurodevelopment in children. To date, the effect of antenatal lifestyle interventions on long-term child development is unclear. The objective was to investigate the potential long-term effects of an antenatal lifestyle intervention programme conducted alongside routine care on child anthropometrics and neurodevelopment up to 3 years of age. Mother-child pairs from the cluster-randomised GeliS trial were followed up to 3 years of age. Data on child anthropometrics in both groups were collected from routine health examinations. Neurodevelopment was assessed via questionnaire. Of the 2286 study participants, 1644 mother-child pairs were included in the analysis. Children from the intervention group were less likely to score below the cut-off in Fine motor (p = 0.002), and more likely to have a score below the cut-off in Problem-solving (p < 0.001) compared to the control group at 3 years of age. Mean weight, height, head circumference, body mass index, and the respective z-scores and percentiles were comparable between the groups at 2 and 3 years of age. We found no evidence that the lifestyle intervention affected offspring development up to 3 years of age. Further innovative intervention approaches are required to improve child health in the long-term.

A Lifestyle Intervention During Pregnancy and Its Effects on Child Weight 2.5 Years Later

AimThe aim of this study was to evaluate if overweight and obesity in the offspring is reduced by a low-intensity antenatal primary care intervention with focus on diet and physical activity for pregnant women with obesity, comparing children to mothers receiving the intervention with children to mothers who did not.MethodsThis study is a follow-up of children 2.5 years of age after their mothers’ participation in a non-randomised controlled intervention intending to limit gestational weight gain. All study participants received standard antenatal care. The intervention group received lifestyle support via motivational talks with midwife and support from dietician. Data on child weight were collected by medical records, letter and phone.ResultsThere was no significant difference between the groups 2.5 years after intervention (International Obesity Task Force ISO-BMI 25 (child BMI corresponding to adult BMI of 25): 20% vs. 21%; ISO-BMI 30: 4.6% vs. 1.3%). The mother’s BMI at the beginning of pregnancy significantly influenced child BMI at 2.5 years (r = 0.13, p = 0.014, r2 = 0.017). For each unit of increase in maternal BMI at enrollment, the probability of child ISO-BMI ≥ 25 increased by 7.5% (p = 0.021) and of ≥ 30, by 12.9% (p = 0.017).ConclusionThe frequency of overweight and obesity of the children at 2.5 years of age was significantly correlated to the mother’s BMI, but not correlated to the mothers’ participation in the antenatal lifestyle intervention. Thus, it seems important to address obesity and lifestyle issues before and between pregnancies.Trial registration The study has been registered at ClinicalTrials.gov, Identifier: NCT03147079.

Association of Antenatal Diet and Physical Activity–Based Interventions With Gestational Weight Gain and Pregnancy Outcomes

Excessive gestational weight gain (GWG) is common and associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes. Antenatal lifestyle interventions limit GWG; yet benefits of different intervention types and specific maternal and neonatal outcomes are unclear. To evaluate the association of different types of diet and physical activity-based antenatal lifestyle interventions with GWG and maternal and neonatal outcomes. A 2-stage systematic literature search of MEDLINE, Embase, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, Database of Abstracts of Reviews of Effects, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and Health Technology Assessment Database was conducted from February 1, 2017, to May 31, 2020. Search results from the present study were integrated with those from a previous systematic review from 1990 to February 2017. Randomized trials reporting GWG and maternal and neonatal outcomes. Data were extracted for random-effects meta-analyses to calculate the summary effect estimates and 95% CIs. Outcomes were clinically prioritized, with mean GWG as the primary outcome. Secondary outcomes included gestational diabetes, hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, cesarean section, preterm delivery, large or small for gestational age neonates, neonatal intensive care unit admission, or fetal death. A total of 117 randomized clinical trials of antenatal lifestyle interventions (involving 34 546 women) were included. Overall lifestyle intervention was associated with reduced GWG (-1.15 kg; 95% CI, -1.40 to -0.91), risk of gestational diabetes (odds ratio [OR], 0.79; 95% CI, 0.70-0.89), and total adverse maternal outcomes (OR, 0.89; 95% CI, 0.84-0.94) vs routine care. Compared with routine care, diet was associated with less GWG (-2.63 kg; 95% CI, -3.87 to -1.40) than physical activity (-1.04 kg; 95% CI, -1.33 to -0.74) or mixed interventions (eg, unstructured lifestyle support, written information with weight monitoring, or behavioral support alone) (-0.74 kg; 95% CI, -1.06 to -0.43). Diet was associated with reduced risk of gestational diabetes (OR, 0.61; 95% CI, 0.45-0.82), preterm delivery (OR, 0.43; 95% CI, 0.22-0.84), large for gestational age neonate (OR, 0.19; 95% CI, 0.08-0.47), neonatal intensive care admission (OR, 0.68; 95% CI, 0.48-0.95), and total adverse maternal (OR, 0.75; 95% CI, 0.61-0.92) and neonatal outcomes (OR, 0.44; 95% CI, 0.26-0.72). Physical activity was associated with reduced GWG and reduced risk of gestational diabetes (OR, 0.60; 95% CI, 0.47-0.75), hypertensive disorders (OR, 0.66; 95% CI, 0.48-0.90), cesarean section (OR, 0.85; 95% CI, 0.75-0.95), and total adverse maternal outcomes (OR, 0.78; 95% CI, 0.71-0.86). Diet with physical activity was associated with reduced GWG (-1.35 kg; 95% CI, -1.95 to -0.75) and reduced risk of gestational diabetes (OR, 0.72; 95% CI, 0.54-0.96) and total adverse maternal outcomes (OR, 0.81; 95% CI, 0.69-0.95). Mixed interventions were associated with reduced GWG only. This systematic review and meta-analysis found level 1 evidence that antenatal structured diet and physical activity-based lifestyle interventions were associated with reduced GWG and lower risk of adverse maternal and neonatal outcomes. The findings support the implementation of such interventions in routine antenatal care and policy around the world.

Efficacy of behavioral interventions in managing gestational weight gain (GWG): A component network meta-analysis.

To identify the most effective behavioral components within lifestyle interventions to optimize gestational weight gain (GWG) to inform guidelines, policy and translation into healthcare. Behavioral components were identified from study level data of randomized antenatal lifestyle interventions using a behavioral taxonomy framework and analyzed using component network meta-analysis (NMA). The NMA ranked behavioral combinations hierarchically by efficacy of optimizing GWG. Direct and estimated indirect comparisons between study arms (i.e., control and intervention) and between different component combinations were estimated to evaluate component combinations associated with greater efficacy. Overall, 32 studies with 11,066 participants were included. Each intervention contained between 3 and 7 behavioral components with 26 different behavioral combinations identified. The majority (n = 24) of combinations were associated with optimizing GWG, with standard mean differences (SMD) ranging from -1.01 kg (95% CI -1.64 to -0.37) and -0.07 kg (-0.38 to 0.24), compared with controls. The behavioral cluster identified as most effective, included components of goals, feedback and monitoring, natural consequences, comparison of outcomes, and shaping knowledge (SMD -1.01 kg [95% CI -1.64 to -0.37]). Findings support the application of goal setting, feedback and monitoring, natural consequences, comparison of outcomes, and shaping knowledge as essential, core components within lifestyle interventions to optimize gestational weight gain.

Preventing postpartum weight retention following antenatal lifestyle intervention: One year postpartum follow up of the Healthy Lifestyles in Pregnancy (HeLP-her) randomised controlled trial.

Antenatal lifestyle interventions optimise gestational weight gain, yet longer-term efficacy on postpartum weight retention is unclear. Overall, 228 pregnant women <15weeks gestation were randomised to intervention (four behavioural self-management sessions) or control (generic health information). Median weight retention at 12months postpartum was significantly reduced in the intervention with a between group difference of -2.3 (-2.8 (-5.9 to 0.35) vs -0.5 (-2.6 to 2.1) kg, respectively P<0.05, (n=75)±6.3kg vs -0.5±4.7kg, respectively, P<0.05) and associated increased self-weighing behaviours, compared with the control group (regular weighing: 68% vs 43%, P<0.01). Results demonstrate the efficacy of a low-intensity, behavioural lifestyle intervention in limiting postpartum weight retention.

A Comparison of the Cost-Effectiveness of Lifestyle Interventions in Pregnancy

ObjectivesLifestyle interventions during pregnancy improve maternal and infant outcomes. We aimed to compare the cost-effectiveness of 4 antenatal lifestyle intervention types with standard care. MethodsA decision tree model was constructed to compare lifestyle intervention effects from a novel meta-analysis. The target population was women with singleton pregnancies and births at more than 20 weeks’ gestation. Interventions were categorized as diet, diet with physical activity, physical activity, and mixed (lacking structured diet and, or, physical activity components). The outcome of interest was cost per case prevented (gestational diabetes, hypertensive disorders in pregnancy, cesarean birth) expressed as an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) from the Australian public healthcare perspective. Scenario analyses were included for all structured interventions combined and by adding neonatal intensive care unit costs. Costs were estimated from published data and consultations with experts and updated to 2019 values. Discounting was not applied owing to the short time horizon. ResultsPhysical activity interventions reduced adverse maternal events by 4.2% in the intervention group compared with standard care and could be cost saving. Diet and diet with physical activity interventions reduced events by 3.5% (ICER = A$4882) and 2.9% (ICER = A$2020), respectively. Mixed interventions did not reduce events and were dominated by standard care. In scenario analysis, all structured interventions combined and all interventions when including neonatal intensive care unit costs (except mixed) may be cost saving. Probabilistic sensitivity analysis showed that for physical activity and all structured interventions combined, the probability of being cost saving was 58% and 41%, respectively. ConclusionsGovernments can expect a good return on investment and cost savings when implementing effective lifestyle interventions population-wide.

Effect of an Antenatal Lifestyle Intervention on Dietary Inflammatory Index and Its Associations with Maternal and Fetal Outcomes: A Secondary Analysis of the PEARS Trial.

We investigated the effect of an antenatal lifestyle intervention of a low-glycaemic index (GI) diet and physical activity on energy-adjusted dietary inflammatory index (E-DIITM) and explored its relationship with maternal and child health in women with overweight and obesity. This was a secondary analysis of 434 mother−child pairs from the Pregnancy Exercise and Nutrition Study (PEARS) trial in Dublin, Ireland. E-DIITM scores were calculated for early (10–16 weeks) and late (28 weeks) pregnancy. Outcomes included lipids, inflammation markers, insulin resistance, mode of delivery, infant size, pre-eclampsia, and gestational diabetes. T-tests were used to assess changes in E-DIITM. Chi-square, correlations, and multiple regression were employed to investigate relationships with outcomes. The mean (SD) age of participants was 32.45 (4.29) years with median (IQR) BMI 28.25 (26.70, 31.34) kg/m2. There was no change in E-DIITM in the controls (−0.14 (1.19) vs. −0.07 (1.09), p = 0.465) but E-DIITM reduced by 10% after the intervention (0.01 (1.07) vs −0.75 (1.05), p < 0.001). No associations were found between early pregnancy E-DIITM and maternal and child outcomes, except for increased odds of adverse cardiometabolic phenotype in women who delivered male (OR = 2.29, p = 0.010) but not female infants (OR = 0.99, p = 0.960). A low-GI antenatal intervention can reduce the inflammatory potential of diets. Sex differences should be explored further in future research.

Associations between lifestyle interventions during pregnancy and childhood weight and growth: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BackgroundMaternal health and lifestyle during pregnancy may be critical for the onset and progression of childhood obesity. Prenatal lifestyle interventions have been shown to positively affect maternal behaviors, gestational weight gain, and anthropometric outcomes in infants at birth. The influence of such interventions on child weight or growth beyond birth is unknown. We therefore examined the association between lifestyle interventions during pregnancy and anthropometric outcomes during childhood.MethodsA systematic literature search was conducted in three electronic databases, two clinical trial registers and further sources, without language or publication status restrictions. Additionally, 110 study authors were contacted to obtain unpublished data. Randomized controlled trials comparing any antenatal lifestyle or behavioral intervention to standard prenatal care, in women of any body mass index (BMI), with offspring anthropometric data at 1 month of age or older, were considered. Two reviewers independently extracted data and assessed the risk of bias using the Cochrane Collaboration’s updated tool. Data on weight, length, and BMI, and corresponding z-scores, were stratified into six age ranges and weighted mean differences (WMD) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated in univariate and multivariate random-effects meta-analytical models.ResultsTwenty trials comprising 11,385 women were included in this systematic review, of which 19 were combined in meta-analyses. Overall, lifestyle interventions during pregnancy were not associated with differences in weight, length, BMI, or corresponding z-scores, in children aged 1 month to 7 years (e.g. weight in 5 to 6 month old children, WMD: 0.02 kg; 95% CI: − 0.05 to 0.10 kg, I2 = 38%; 13 studies, 6667 participants). Findings remained consistent when studies were stratified by maternal baseline BMI or other risk factors, and intervention content and duration. Based on the GRADE criteria, the strength of the body of evidence was considered moderate.ConclusionPrenatal lifestyle interventions were not shown to influence childhood weight or growth. Nevertheless, women should be encouraged to pursue a healthy lifestyle during pregnancy. Further efforts to establish early prevention strategies for childhood obesity are urgently needed. Thus, large, high-quality studies with pre-planned, long-term follow-ups are warranted.Trial registrationPROSPERO CRD42018118678.

Effect of metformin in addition to an antenatal diet and lifestyle intervention on fetal growth and adiposity: the GRoW randomised trial

BackgroundThe infants born to women who are overweight or obese in pregnancy are at an increased risk of being born macrosomic or large for gestational age. Antenatal dietary and lifestyle interventions have been shown to be ineffective at reducing this risk. Our aim was to examine the effects of metformin in addition to a diet and lifestyle intervention on fetal growth and adiposity among women with a BMI above the healthy range.MethodsWomen who had a body mass index ≥25 kg/m2 in early pregnancy, and a singleton gestation, were enrolled in the GRoW trial from three public maternity hospitals in metropolitan Adelaide. Women were invited to have a research ultrasounds at 28 and 36 weeks’ gestation at which ultrasound measures of fetal biometry and adiposity were obtained. Fetal biometry z-scores and trajectories were calculated. Measurements and calculations were compared between treatment groups. This secondary analysis was pre-specified.ResultsUltrasound data from 511 women were included in this analysis. The difference in femur length at 36 weeks’ gestation was (0.07 cm, 95% CI 0.01–0.14 cm, p = 0.019) and this was was statistically significant, however the magnitude of effect was small. Differences between treatment groups for all other fetal biometry measures, z-scores, estimated fetal weight, and adiposity measures at 28 and 36 weeks’ gestation were similar.ConclusionsThe addition of metformin to dietary and lifestyle advice in pregnancy for overweight and obese women has no clinically relevant effect on ultrasound measures of fetal biometry or adiposity.Trial registrationAustralian and New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ACTRN12612001277831).

Infant growth during the first year of life following a pregnancy lifestyle intervention in routine care-Findings from the cluster-randomised GeliS trial.

Lifestyle interventions in pregnancy may influence postpartum development and obesity risk in offspring. The impact of lifestyle interventions as health system-based approaches is unclear. To evaluate the effect of an antenatal lifestyle intervention conducted as public health approach on infant development and feeding practices. We followed offspring born to women participating in the cluster-randomised GeliS trial who received usual care (CG) or repeated lifestyle counselling (IG). We collected data on offspring development and complementary feeding until the 12th month postpartum. Of the 1998 mother-child pairs, 1783 completed the follow-up. Mean infant weight at 12 months was comparable between groups (IG: 9497.9 ± 1137.0 g; CG: 9433.4 ± 1055.2 g; P = .177). There was no significant evidence of differences in sex- and age-adjusted z-scores or in the odds of offspring being overweight. More infants in the IG received whole-grain products compared to the CG (95.6% vs. 90.8%; P = .003). Despite small differences in the timing of introducing solid foods, there were no further significant differences in the pattern of complementary feeding. The antenatal lifestyle intervention embedded in routine care did not substantially influence infant anthropometrics and is thus unlikely to impact future development.

Cost Effectiveness of Antenatal Lifestyle Interventions for Preventing Gestational Diabetes and Hypertensive Disease in Pregnancy.

BackgroundLifestyle interventions (diet, physical activity and/or behavioural) to optimise gestational weight gain can prevent adverse maternal outcomes such as gestational diabetes, pre-eclampsia and caesarean section.ObjectiveWe aimed to model the cost effectiveness of lifestyle interventions during pregnancy on reducing adverse maternal outcomes.MethodsDecision tree modelling was used to determine the cost effectiveness of lifestyle interventions compared with usual care on preventing cases of gestational diabetes and hypertensive disease in pregnancy. Participants were pregnant women receiving routine antenatal care in secondary and tertiary care hospitals. The main outcome measures were cases of gestational diabetes and/or hypertensive disease in pregnancy prevented, costs, and incremental cost-effectiveness ratios. Analysis was conducted from the perspective of the Australian healthcare system, with a time horizon of early pregnancy to discharge after birth.ResultsWomen in the intervention group were 2.25% less likely to have gestational diabetes and/or hypertensive disease in pregnancy (9.53%) compared with the control group (11.78%). Intervention costs were Australian dollars (AUD) 228 per person. Costs were AUD33 per person higher in the intervention group (AUD8281) than the control group (AUD8248). The incremental cost-effectiveness ratio was AUD1470 per case prevented. Sensitivity analysis showed that base-case results were robust. In the probabilistic sensitivity analysis, 44.8% of data points fell within the north-east quadrant, and 52.2% in the south-east quadrant (cost saving), with a 95% confidence interval ranging from AUD − 50,018 to 32,779 per case prevented.ConclusionsWhile there is no formally accepted cost-effectiveness threshold for willingness-to-pay to prevent an adverse maternal event, the cost per person receiving a lifestyle intervention compared with controls was close to neutral, and therefore likely to be cost effective. Exploration of the cost effectiveness of different lifestyle delivery modes across various models of antenatal care is now required. Future cost-effectiveness studies should investigate longer time horizons, quality-adjusted life-years and productivity loss.Trial RegistrationNot applicable.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (10.1007/s41669-020-00197-9) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

OP16.04: Effect of metformin in addition to an antenatal diet and lifestyle intervention on fetal growth and adiposity: the GRoW randomised trial

OP16.04: Effect of metformin in addition to an antenatal diet and lifestyle intervention on fetal growth and adiposity: the GRoW randomised trial

336: An antenatal lifestyle intervention in overweight and obese pregnancy improves sleep behaviour and maternal wellbeing

The national sleep foundation recommends 7-9 hours of sleep per night for adults. Pregnancy is associated with an overall reduction in sleep duration and general wellbeing. Restrictive sleep is associated with metabolic disturbance in the non-pregnant population and adverse pregnancy outcomes. We sought to investigate the effect of the PEARS intervention on sleep duration and behaviours and general wellbeing. We also sought to examine the association between suboptimal sleep (<7 hours) and maternal and fetal metabolic and pregnancy outcomes on the entire patient cohort Secondary analysis of the PEARs study cohort-a RCT of the effects of a complex behavioral antenatal lifestyle intervention with smartphone app support on the incidence of GDM in overweight and obese pregnancies. 474 women with sleep and wellbeing data at both study entry (circa 16 weeks) and in the 3rd trimester (28-34 weeks’ gestation) were included in the analysis. At baseline, 28 weeks and birth, blood samples were taken for analysis of glucose, insulin, c-peptide, HOMA, and lipids. Data pertaining to pregnancy outcomes was also recorded. Mean sleep duration and wellbeing was significantly higher in the intervention group compared to control 400.4 ± 81 vs. 383.3 ± 71 minutes p= 0.04 and 62.7 ± 15.3 vs. 59.3 ± 14.1 p= 0.03. The intervention group was significantly more likely to achieve ‘optimum sleep time’, p=0.04. Insulin resistance (HOMA 2 IR) in early pregnancy was greater in those that had severe sleep restriction < 6 hours of sleep per night . p=0.03. Moderate and severe sleep restriction in the 3rd trimester was associated with higher lipid profiles, less adherence to GWG guidelines and lower breastfeeding rates (Table 1&2) An antenatal healthy lifestyle intervention improves sleep behaviour in an at-risk population which is imperative to achieve optimum maternal weight gain, metabolic health and breastfeeding rates in pregnancyView Large Image Figure ViewerDownload Hi-res image Download (PPT)

1012: Maternal Inflammation: potential mediators and effects on pregnancy outcomes

Elevated circulating levels of inflammatory markers (complement factor 3 and CRP) have been linked with adverse pregnancy outcomes and metabolic derangements in the non-pregnant adult population. Lifestyle interventions hold potential to ameliorate these effects. We sought to investigate the effect of the PEARS antenatal lifestyle intervention on maternal complement factor 3 (C3) and C-reactive protein (CRP) concentrations in the 3rd trimester and to assess the relationship between these inflammatory markers and maternal and fetal glucose and lipid metabolism and pregnancy outcomes Secondary analysis of women recruited as part of the PEARS lifestyle intervention study. The PEARS study was a randomised control trial that assessed the effect of a complex antenatal behaviour-change intervention supported by a smartphone-app, compared with usual antenatal care, on the incidence of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) in overweight and obese pregnancies. 405 women with C3 and CRP levels at either randomization and/or 28-weeks with corresponding glucose, insulin, c-peptide, HOMA2-IR and lipid profiles were included in the analysis. Data pertaining to diagnoses of GDM, PET or PIH, delivery < 37 weeks, low birth weight defined as birth weight < 2500g, IUGR defined as estimated fetal weight (EFW) < 10th centile and cord bloods were also included in the analysis The PEARS intervention had no effect on levels of circulating maternal C3 and CRP levels in the 3rd trimester. A diagnosis of PET, PIH or GDM was not associated with maternal C3 or CRP in early or late pregnancy. Maternal C3 but not CRP was significantly higher in those that gave birth <37 weeks (p= 0.02 and 0.04) and in those that delivered an infant <2500g (p=0.02). Maternal C3, not CRP, was a significant predictor of maternal insulin resistance (B = 0.007, p= 0,002), early total cholesterol (B= 0.005, P= 0.026) and 28 week LDL (B= 0.01, p= 0.003). Maternal C3 or CRP was not related to fetal glucose or lipid metabolism Higher maternal C3 concentrations were associated with pre-term birth, low birth weight and maternal insulin resistance and lipid metabolism. These findings suggest C3 as a potential biomarker to predict women at risk for poor pregnancy outcomes and the metabolic syndrome in later life