Correlation of Pre-pregnancy Body Mass Index, Prenatal Weight Gain and Gestational Diabetes – A Case-Control Study

Abstract

Introduction: Obese and overweight women are more prone to gestational diabetes. Body mass index and weight gain during pregnancy play an important role in pregnancy and is considered as an important indicator of maternal and neonatal health. Because the prevalence of obesity in Yazd is remarkable, we studied the relationship between gestational diabetes with Pre-pregnancy BMI and weight gaining during pregnancy in pregnant women in Yazd. Methods: This case-control study was conducted on 336 pregnant women who had just given birth, who they consisted of 168 pregnant women with gestational diabetes and 168 healthy pregnant women as case and control group, respectively. We gathered data from the information recorded in the health information system. In this study, Chi-square, independent t-test, and correlation test were used to analyze the data by using the SPSS23 software. Results: The present study showed that the average pre-pregnancy BMI and the average weight gaining during pregnancy until screening for gestational diabetes were significantly higher in cases than controls (P<0.05). Also, there was a significant reverse correlation between pre-pregnancy BMI and weight gain during pregnancy(r = -0.27, P <0.001). Conclusion: Since BMI is one of the modifiable risk factors, we should give all women good training on the quality of their diet for having proper weight before pregnancy and appropriate weight gain during pregnancy.

Keywords

• weight gain
• Body Mass Index
• gestational diabetes