Pregnant Women In India Research Articles

A Systematic Review on Normative Values of Trimester-specific Thyroid Function Tests in Indian Women.

Background:Small cross-sectional studies are published on the trimester-specific normal ranges of thyrotropin and thyroxine levels in Indian women from various parts of the country.Objective:We sought to review the published literature on thyroid function tests in normal pregnant Indian women to see if the pooled data from various studies can define normative data and hypothyroidism in pregnancy.Methods:We retrieved 56 studies from online databases with detailed search using multiple search terms. Unanimously eight studies were finalized.Results:Data of 2703 pregnant women (age 16–45 years; 966 were in the first trimester, 1072 in their second trimester, and 1037 women in their third trimester) were analyzed. All eight studies included singleton pregnancies from the northern and eastern part of India with seven studies being cross-sectional in nature. The exclusion criteria in all studies included those with historical/clinical evidence of thyroid dysfunction, those with family history of thyroid dysfunction, infertility and those with history of recurrent miscarriages (usually >3). Ultrasound evidence of thyroid disease, urinary iodine assessment, and thyroid antibodies were included as additional exclusion criteria in two, three, and four studies, respectively. None of the studies included the outcome of pregnancy as part of follow-up. As part of the pooled data analysis, the 5th–95th centile values of normal TSH extended from 0.09 to 6.65 IU/mL in the first trimester, 0.39–6.61 IU/mL in the second trimester, and 0.70–5.18 IU/mL in the third trimester. The FT4 levels (5th–95th centile values) extended from 8.24 to 25.74 pmol/L in the first trimester, 6.82–26.0 pmol/L, and 5.18–25.61 pmol/L in the third trimester.Conclusions:With due limitations imposed by the quality of the available studies, the current review suggests that upper normal limit of TSH values can extend up to 5–6 IU/mL in pregnancy.

Nutraceutical Properties of Bangladeshi Rice Varieties

Objectives: Prevalence of subclinical vitamin B12 deficiency is high during early pregnancy especially among Indian women. Early pregnancy is also associated with modulations in autonomic nervous activity to adapt to haemodynamic changes. Current study aimed to compare the autonomic nervous activity through heart rate variability (HRV) indices during early pregnancy in women with low and high vitamin B12 status. Methods: Forty-two healthy pregnant Indian women in their early pregnancy (<14 weeks) were evaluated. Blood samples were analysed for plasma vitamin B12, haemogram and ECG. ECG was subjected to heart rate variability analysis. Subjects were divided into four groups based on quartile values of vitamin B12 levels. Results: There was a significant difference in Log LF (low frequency) HRV between the study groups (p=0.03). Log LF HRV was lower in lowest vitamin B12 group (Quartile 1 of Vitamin B12 levels 248.7 pmol/L) (p=0.05). There was a significant positive correlation between plasma vitamin B12 levels and Log LF (r=0.36, p=0.02). Conclusion: This study showed reduced sympathetic activity among subjects with low vitamin B12 status compared to subjects with high vitamin B12 status. Thus, emphasising the use of vitamin B12 levels during routine clinical evaluation and utility of simple measures like HRV as a screening tool during pregnancy along with postural blood pressure evaluation to rule out orthostatic intolerance. Further, longitudinal studies are required to evaluate vitamin B12 status and its long-term impact on autonomic nervous system during pregnancy.

Nutraceutical Properties of Bangladeshi Rice Varieties

Objectives: Prevalence of subclinical vitamin B12 deficiency is high during early pregnancy especially among Indian women. Early pregnancy is also associated with modulations in autonomic nervous activity to adapt to haemodynamic changes. Current study aimed to compare the autonomic nervous activity through heart rate variability (HRV) indices during early pregnancy in women with low and high vitamin B12 status. Methods: Forty-two healthy pregnant Indian women in their early pregnancy (<14 weeks) were evaluated. Blood samples were analysed for plasma vitamin B12, haemogram and ECG. ECG was subjected to heart rate variability analysis. Subjects were divided into four groups based on quartile values of vitamin B12 levels. Results: There was a significant difference in Log LF (low frequency) HRV between the study groups (p=0.03). Log LF HRV was lower in lowest vitamin B12 group (Quartile 1 of Vitamin B12 levels 248.7 pmol/L) (p=0.05). There was a significant positive correlation between plasma vitamin B12 levels and Log LF (r=0.36, p=0.02). Conclusion: This study showed reduced sympathetic activity among subjects with low vitamin B12 status compared to subjects with high vitamin B12 status. Thus, emphasising the use of vitamin B12 levels during routine clinical evaluation and utility of simple measures like HRV as a screening tool during pregnancy along with postural blood pressure evaluation to rule out orthostatic intolerance. Further, longitudinal studies are required to evaluate vitamin B12 status and its long-term impact on autonomic nervous system during pregnancy.

Gestational diabetes mellitus 2018 guidelines: An update.

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) has emerged as a global public health problem, both globally and in India. Despite government of India (GoI) prior mandate to screen all Indian pregnant women for GDM, its real operationalization at primary health-care level is suboptimal. Adding new operational component, GoI revised its existing recommendations and released new technical operational guidelines on GDM diagnosis and management in February 2018. The revised guideline highlights integration of two vertical programs, ensuring effective GDM service delivery to all antenatal women at every pause point of existing service delivery platform within public health system. However, its real success depends on knowledge and commitment level of health-care providers. Despite maternal and child health holding high public health relevance since long, community-level delivery of services still persists to be at high risk of fragmentation and inefficiency.

Trimester-specific reference ranges for thyroid function tests in South Indian women

Background: There are no published data on trimester-specific reference intervals for thyroid function tests (TFTs) in south Indian pregnant women. Hence, this study was conducted to establish trimester-specific reference intervals for TFTs in south Indian pregnant women. Materials and Methods: This is a cross-sectional study conducted at a tertiary health-care center at Coastal region from South India. A total of 235 healthy women of age >18 years with uncomplicated singleton, intrauterine pregnancy who were consuming iodized salt were recruited for the study. Family history of thyroid illness, history of abortion, goiter, antithyroid peroxidase positivity, overt hypothyroidism, and overt hyperthyroidism were present in 11 (4.7%), 27 (11.5%), 50 (21.3%), 15 (6.38%), 1 (0.42%), and 3 (1.28%) had, respectively, and a total of 73 participants having one of these features were excluded from the study. A total of 162 (I trimester: 47, II trimester: 50, and III trimester: 65) women were included in the analysis to derive trimester-specific reference ranges. Results: The reference ranges for the first, second, and third trimester were 0.08–2.24, 0.42–2.84, and 0.40–3.14 μIU/ml for thyroid-stimulating hormone, 0.68–1.44, 0.59–1.21, and 0.53–1.15 ng/dl for free thyroxine 4 (FT4) and 2.08–3.48, 1.81–3.81, and 1.86–3.38 pg/ml for FT3. Conclusion: Our study reports trimester-specific reference ranges for TFTs in south Indian women from a coastal region.

Feasibility of setting up a birth cohort and screening Gestational Hyperglycemia in Public health facilities in Bengaluru, India

Background It is estimated that approximately 1.5 to 17 of Indian pregnant women may have hyperglycemia. It is important to explore the feasibility of setting up a cohort of pregnant women to explore the adverse effect of hyperglycemia in their offspring.Objective The aim of this study was to explore the feasibility of recruiting cohort of pregnant women and administering Oral glucose tolerance tests OGTT in public health facilities of Bengaluru city. The study also aimed to ascertain the logistic requirements infrastructure and support system required to conduct and carry out a similar designed study for a longer period of time.Methodology Based on the published protocol pregnant women visiting the antenatal clinic at two public hospitals in Bengaluru were recruited as part of the pilot cohort study. The feasibility of recruiting performing the OGTT and follow ups was estimated in this study. As part of recruitment we assessed feasibility of administering a baseline questionnaire around 24 weeks of gestation along with anthropometric measurements. Subsequently we assessed the feasibility of conducting Oral glucose tolerance test OGTT in them which involved collecting fasting and two-hour postprandial blood samples after ingesting 75-gram glucose. The follow-ups were scheduled after delivery and during the immunization visits for the children. The feasibility of obtaining of reliable measurements of infants weight height and skin fold thickness was estimated at each follow-up visit.Results Of the 1243 women who were approached a cohort of 964 pregnant women was recruited. Among them 864pregnant women 90 did undergo oral glucose tolerance test and 840 women completed the test. The study identified several logistic and administrative challenges in conducting the OGTT and in following up the cohort. Among the 840 only 34740 women were available for follow-up at birth with abysmally low proportion of them voluntarily visiting for immunization visits.Conclusion Our study found that it is feasible to recruit administer OGTT to large number of pregnant women in setting up a birth cohort in public health facilities. For successful follow-up use of reminders and other motivation methods may improve the successful completion follow-ups in public health-facilities.nbsp

Level of biogenic amines in pregnant women with psycho-emotional disorders stipulated by anxiety

Object of research – to determine level of biogenic amines in pregnant women with psycho-emotional disorders stipulated by anxiety. Group of examined women and methods of research . 90 Pregnant women were examined in ІІ and ІІІ trimester of pregnancy. The main group includes 58 pregnant women with the medium and high level of state anxiety and 32 pregnant women with anxiety level of 30 points and less that indicates the low level of SA (control group). For estimation of the state anxiety and trait anxiety the scale of Spielberger-Hanin was used. Level of serotonin and melatonin was measured with fluorometric method in blood hemolysate of pregnant women. Results . According to the obtained results of biochemical research of hemolysate of packed red cells of blood of examined women it was stated that increase of state anxiety was accompanied by statistically reliable (p < 0.05) rise of serotonin level and decrease of melatonin level. Thus, special features have direct influence on increase (p < 0.05) of serotonin/melatonin index. Pregnant women of the main group have the index which was 2.5 times higher than the same index in women of the control group. Conclusions . Results of performed research among pregnant women have indicated that increase of state anxiety is accompanied by statistically reliable (p < 0.05) rise of serotonin content in blood and statistically reliable (p < 0.05) decrease of melatonin. Such results have direct influence on increase (p < 0.05) of serotonin/melatonin index in pregnant women with medium and high levels of state anxiety comparing to the certain index in women with the low level of anxiety.

Prevalence of and risk factors for eclampsia in pregnant women in India

Objective Eclampsia is a potentially fatal disorder in pregnant women and remains an important cause of maternal and perinatal child morbidity and death worldwide. We aimed to assess the prevalence of and risk factors for convulsions (not occurring from fever) during pregnancy in Indian women. Convulsion is a key symptom suggestive of eclampsia. Methods Cross-sectional data from India’s third National Family Health Survey, conducted during 2005–2006 were used. Self-reported information on convulsions during pregnancy was obtained from 39,657 women aged 15–49 years who had a live birth in the 5 years preceding the survey. Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to explore risk factors for convulsion in pregnancy. Results Overall, 1 in 10 women reported having convulsions in their most recent pregnancy. The prevalence was significantly higher in women living in rural areas compared with those living in urban areas (11.3% vs. 7.4%; P Conclusion Our findings from a large population-based nationally representative sample of Indian women indicate a high prevalence of convulsions, a symptom suggestive of eclampsia, and its association with several maternal, lifestyle risk factors and sociodemographic characteristics.

Exercise in Pregnancy: Effect on Obesity Parameters in Indian Women – A Randomized Controlled Trial

AbstractBackground and aims:The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of physical activity and diet during prenatal period and its effect on gestational weight gain (GWG), BMI, waist circumference (WC), hip circumference (HC) and post-partum weight retention (PPWR).Materials and Methods:This was an experimental study (pre-post comparison) with 45 pregnant women having singleton pregnancy of &gt;16 weeks of gestation, BMI&gt;18.5 Kg/m2and having a mobile phone. They were randomly divided into 3 groups (n=12 each; compliance rate 80%) (i.e.) exercise (n=12), exercise with diet advise (n=12) and control (n=12) group. Exercise groups attended weekly antenatal exercise sessions at the hospital during pregnancy; diet group received regular diet counseling followed by mobile text-messages (reminder, motivational, guidelines and benefits) to maintain adequate diet. The data was analyzed using IBM-SPSS software.Results:Exercise groups gained less weight then control. Similarly, had mean GWG less as compared to control group though not statistically significant. The mean WC changes were significant amongst the groups with the exercise groups having least gain in WC (p&lt;0.05).Conclusion:Adopting an active lifestyle along with proper diet care can prevent development of abdominal obesity and metabolic syndrome in Indian pregnant women which could prevent them from other associated lifestyle diseases in future.

Measurement of HE4 and CA125 and establishment of reference intervals for the ROMA index in the sera of pregnant women.

Cancer antigen 125 (CA125) and human epididymis protein 4 (HE4) are biomarkers for ovarian cancer. Their specificity and sensitivity are often limited during pregnancy as a result of great fluctuations. The risk of ovarian malignancy algorithm (ROMA) score, which combines CA125, HE4, and menopausal status, may improve diagnostic performance. There are no reports regarding the ROMA index in pregnant women. Therefore, the aim of our study was to establish appropriate reference intervals (RIs) for the ROMA index in pregnant Chinese women and compare them with those of CA125 and HE4 during pregnancy. Serum concentrations of CA125 and HE4 were simultaneously measured in healthy pregnant women via electrochemiluminescence immunoassay (ECLIA). The ROMA index was calculated using premenopausal algorithms. The RIs for the ROMA index calculated by premenopausal algorithms were substantially closer to the normal range in the first 2 trimesters. For pregnant women, the great misclassifications identified in CA125 may be reversed by the use of ROMA index. We established the RIs for HE4 and CA125, as well as the ROMA index, in pregnant women at different gestational periods. The ROMA index is suggested to be a more promising tumor marker for pregnant women diagnosed with malignance.

Influence of gestational weight gain on low birth weight in short-statured South Indian pregnant women.

India contributes to one-third of the global burden of low birth weight (LBW) neonates, which is associated with increased risk of mortality and adverse consequences on long-term health. Factors leading to LBW are multidimensional and maternal short stature is an important component with an inter-generational effect. On the contrary gestational weight gain (GWG) shows an independent positive influence on birth weight. The aim of the present study therefore was to determine the influence of GWG on birth weight in short pregnant women. A prospective observational cohort of 1254 pregnant women was studied. Total, second and third trimester GWG per week were computed. Women were divided into two groups, "short" and "not-short", using a cut off of 152 cm that corresponded to the 25th percentile for height in the cohort. Association of tertiles of GWG with LBW was examined using log binomial regression analysis. "Short" women in highest tertile of total GWG had a significantly reduced adjusted relative risk (ARR 0.37, 95% confidence interval 0.16-0.83, P = 0.016) for LBW, compared to the lowest tertile. However, there was no significant increase in risk for cesarean section (CS) with increasing tertiles of total GWG. In women with height <152 cm a significant reduced risk for LBW was observed with the greatest total GWG, without a significant increase in the risk for CS. This suggests that improving GWG in short women may be beneficial for the birth weight of the offspring.

Sociocultural and structural perpetuators of domestic violence in pregnancy: A qualitative look at what South Indian women believe needs to change

ABSTRACTIn India, reported rates of domestic violence rise as high as 31%. Abuse against pregnant women in India is associated with depressive and PTSD symptoms, and poor birth outcomes, yet no evidence-based interventions have been tested on this population. In this cross-sectional qualitative study, we sought perspective on South Indian women's concerns about abuse during pregnancy and what they believed would help. Participants cited economic dependence on husbands and sociocultural structures as factors perpetuating domestic violence. Women also described resilience factors that can protect against abuse. Our participants highlighted a requisite for interventions within health and social systems.

Awareness of HIV/AIDS among the pregnant women and their husbands attending ANC clinic in a tertiary care centre in Chennai

Background: In India the total number of people living with HIV (PLHIV) was estimated to be 2.1 million in 2015 and number of new cases estimated at 86,000. The prevalence of HIV among pregnant women in India is high and the awareness on HIV/AIDs is low among women in India .Awareness of HIV is important in antenatal mothers as they are vulnerable and encouraging early HIV testing will augment the PPTCT (Prevention of Parent to Child Transmission) services. Hence it is prime importance to create awareness among pregnant women to protect them from HIV infection. This study was conducted to find out the awareness level among pregnant women and their husbands as husbands play an important role in prevention of HIV in their spouses.Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted at ANC clinic in Sri Ramachandra Medical College, Porur, Chennai. All antenatal women who visited the ANC clinic for the first time along with their husbands were selected as the subjects. Sample size was 200 (100 couples). After obtaining Informed Consent from the subjects, a semi structured questionnaire was administered. Data was collected and analysed using SPSS software version 21.Results: One hundred couples were included in the study. Seventy five percent of subjects did not accept that they are at risk and majority of them were husbands (79%) when compared to wives (71%). Above 75% of wives knew mother to child transmission whereas only 65% of husbands knew it. Willingness to undergo HIV test was more among wives (83%) than husbands (75%).Conclusions: A large effort to be taken to impart the information about the HIV/AIDS to husbands to change their attitude. At least one ANC visit by pregnant women should be made mandatory to have their husbands with them to sensitise them on HIV/AIDS.

Glycated hemoglobin and red blood cell indices in non-diabetic pregnant women.

Hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) is affected by the red blood cell (RBC) lifespan. The association of HbA1c with RBC indices in pregnant women is not widely investigated. In this study, we investigated the association between HbA1c and Hb/RBCs count and RBCs indices; specifically, Hb/RBCs count and indices in non- diabetic pregnant women. Across-sectional study was carried- out at the antenatal care of Saad Abu Elela Hospital, Khartoum, Sudan. Obstetrics history was gathered using questionnaire and body mass index was calculated. Fasting blood sugar, at one hour, at two hours post prandial and HbA1c were investigated. Complete blood count parameters of RBCs count was performed, including, hematocrit, Hb, RBCs indices of MCV, MCH, and MCHC. One hundred twenty three women were enrolled. The mean age of the participants was 28±5.6 years and a mean body mass index was 27.65±6.8 k/m2. There was significant positive correlation between HbA1c and Hb (r=0.174, P=0.037), Hct (r=0.174, P=0.037), and MCHC (r=0.180, P=0.031). A negative correlation between HbA1c and the platelet index PDW (r= –0.198, P=0.017) was documented. The rest of the other factors showed no correlation with HbA1c. In linear regression analysis, HbA1c correlated positively with Hb (P=0.044) and Hct (P=0.047). The present study shows a significant positive correlation between HbA1c value with Hb, Hct, and MCHC. No significant correlation between HbA1c and other RBCs parameters was observed.

Household food insecurity is associated with low interferon-gamma levels in pregnant Indian women

Household food insecurity is associated with low interferon-gamma levels in pregnant Indian women

Effect of Treatment with Vitamin D on Maternal and Neonatal Indices in Pregnant Women with Hypocalcemia: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Background The impact of concomitant vitamin D deficiency and maternal hypocalcemia on fetal growth has is not clear. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of treatment with vitamin D on maternal and neonatal indices in pregnant women with hypocalcemia. Materials and Methods This clinical trial was conducted on 110 pregnant women (22-26 weeks of gestational age) with simultaneous mild hypocalcemia (8 0.05). Mean neonatal weight, height, and head circumference were not significantly different between the two groups (P>0.05). Conclusion In pregnant women with mild hypocalcemia, treatment with vitamin D would not have effect on mean serum calcium and neonatal indices.

STIGMA AND DISCRIMINATION OF HIV POSITIVE PREGNANT WOMEN AND MOTHERS IN THE HOME, COMMUNITY AND HEALTH CARE SETTINGS.

25Aug 2017 STIGMA AND DISCRIMINATION OF HIV POSITIVE PREGNANT WOMEN AND MOTHERS IN THE HOME, COMMUNITY AND HEALTH CARE SETTINGS. Juvina Caren Hannah , Rajan Patil Background: Adult HIV prevalence in India is estimated at 0.30% among males and 0.22% among females. More than 90% of women acquire HIV from their husbands or their sexual partners, not due to their own sexual behavior. The NACO Technical Estimate Report (2015) estimated that 35 thousand HIV positive pregnant women in India needed Prevention of Parent to child transmission(PPTCT) services. Experience worldwideconfirms that women tend to suffer more than men from HIV related stigma in terms of loss of respect, employment, protection and property rights that places women at a greater disadvantage in communities, largely so in developing nations.(1) Objective: The first objective of the study is to identify the day to day challenges that the women living with HIV face in terms of physical dimension ,psychological dimension, socio-economic dimension, health care dimension and how the stigma associated with the disease makes it all the more complex for them in their livelihood. The second objective is to study the stigma and discrimination faced by HIV positive pregnant women and mothers in the home, community and health care settings. Method: Key informant interviews were conducted with 11 HIV positive women who were either pregnant or mothers. The interviews were conducted in two public health care settings. Semi- structured questionnaire was used. The interviews were audio recorded and extensive notes were also taken. These were translated from Tamil language, transcribed and openly coded. It was next organized into domains, themes and sub-themes. Results: Stigma and discrimination, at the home, community and health care settings, do exist against the HIV positive women. Poverty and other challenges combined with stigma make it worse and increase the suffering of the women with HIV all the more. Stigma is a disease in itself. Conclusion:It is a known fact that HIV/AIDS has no cure. But stigma and discrimination against the women infected with HIV is preventable, creating a supportive environment for them for the rest of their life. Combined efforts to reduce the stigma and discrimination need to be taken along with measures to eradicate HIV/ AIDS in order to yield the best outcome.

Group B Streptococcal Colonization Among Pregnant Women in Delhi, India.

Little is known regarding maternal group B streptococcal (GBS) colonization prevalence and capsular (CPS) serotype distribution among pregnant women in India. The objective of this prospective cohort study was to determine GBS recto-vaginal colonization prevalence in pregnant women at Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital in Delhi, India. Literature review identified reports from India assessing GBS colonization prevalence in pregnant women. Rectal and vaginal swabs were inoculated into Strep B Carrot Broth (Hardy Diagnostics, Santa Maria, CA) and subcultured onto GBS Detect plates (Hardy Diagnostics, Santa Maria, CA). Isolates were serotyped using ImmuLex Strep-B latex kits (Statens Serum Institut, Copenhagen, Denmark). Thirteen studies were identified citing GBS colonization prevalence during pregnancy as 0.47%-16%. Among 300 pregnant women (mean age: 26.9 years; mean gestation: 34 weeks) enrolled (August 2015 to April 2016), GBS colonization prevalence was 15%. Fifteen percent of women had vaginal only, 29% had rectal only and 56% had both sites colonized. CPS types were Ia (13.3%), Ib (4.4%), II (20%), III (22.2%), V (20%) and VII (6.7%); 13.3% were nontypable. Fetal loss in a prior pregnancy at ≥20-weeks gestation was more common in colonized than noncolonized women (15.6% vs. 3.5%; P = 0.004). Employing recent census data for the birth cohort and estimating that 1%-2% of neonates born to colonized women develop early-onset disease, at least 39,000 cases of early-onset disease may occur yearly in India. Using optimal methods, 15% of third trimester pregnant women in India are GBS colonized. A multivalent vaccine containing 6 CPS types (Ia, Ib, II, III, V and VII) would encompass ~87% of GBS carried by pregnant women in India.

Household food insecurity is associated with low interferon-gamma levels in pregnant Indian women.

Over 20% of tuberculosis (TB) cases during pregnancy occur in India. To determine the association between household food insecurity and interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) levels in pregnancy. Pregnant women in India were administered the Household Food Insecurity Access Scale (HFIAS) questionnaire and underwent an IFN-γ release assay. Logistic regression was used to identify factors associated with food insecurity. Of 538 women, 60 (11%) had household food insecurity, 47 (78%) of which were moderate or severe food insecure. After mitogen stimulation, moderate or severe food insecure women had a median IFN-γ concentration of 4.2 IU/ml (IQR 2.2-9.8) vs. 8.4 IU/ml (IQR 3.0-10) in women with no or mild food insecurity (P = 0.03). In multivariate analysis, higher IFN-γ concentrations were associated with human immunodeficiency virus infection (OR 1.3, 95%CI 0.51-2.1, P = 0.001), and inversely associated with moderate or severe food insecurity (OR -1.6, 95%CI -2.9 to -0.27, P = 0.02) and the number of adults in the household (OR -0.08, 95%CI -0.16 to -0.01, P = 0.03). There was no association between food insecurity and IFN-γ response to Mycobacterium tuberculosis antigen. Food insecurity in pregnancy is associated with low IFN-γ levels. There was no association between food insecurity and IFN-γ response to M. tuberculosis antigen, but our study was underpowered to detect this outcome.

Mid-upper arm circumference: A surrogate for body mass index in pregnant women.

Nutrition in pregnancy has implications for both mother and fetus, hence the importance of an accurate assessment at the booking visit during antenatal care. The body mass index (BMI, kg/m2) is currently the gold standard for measuring body fatness. However, pregnancy-associated weight gain and oedema, as well as late booking in our population setting, cause concern about the reliability of using the BMI to assess body fat or nutritional status in pregnancy. The mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC) has been used for many decades to assess malnutrition in children aged &lt;5 years. Several studies have also shown a strong correlation between MUAC and BMI in both pregnant and non-pregnant adult populations. To assess the correlation between the MUAC and BMI in pregnant women booking for antenatal care in the Metro West area of Cape Town, South Africa. We conducted a cross-sectional study of women booking at four midwife obstetric units. Anthropometric measurements (height, weight and MUAC) were carried out on pregnant women at their first antenatal booking visit. The results showed a strong correlation between MUAC and BMI in pregnant women up to 30 weeks' gestation. The correlation was calculated at 0.92 for the entire group. The MUAC cut-offs for obesity (BMI &gt;30) and malnutrition (BMI &lt;18.5) were calculated as 30.57 cm and 22.8 cm, respectively. MUAC correlates strongly with BMI in pregnancy up to a gestation of 30 weeks in women attending Metro West maternity services. In low-resource settings, the simpler MUAC measurement could reliably be substituted for BMI to assess nutritional status.