Obesity and pregnancy: cardiovascular and metabolic risks

Abstract

In recent years, obesity has become the leader as a cardiovascular risk factor in various clinical groups, including women of childbearing age. According to epidemiological studies over the past 10 years, obesity in pregnant women is recorded in 15-38% of cases. Obesity is a proven risk factor that complicates pregnancy, childbirth and the postpartum period. The presence of obesity in women before childbirth is a risk factor for infertility, miscarriage in the early period and congenital malformations in the fetus. Overweight and obesity in pregnant women lead to an increase in maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality. Despite the high prevalence of obesity in pregnant women, the mechanisms for the occurrence of complications, methods of correction and prevention have not been studied enough. Considering the unfavorable prognosis in children of obese mothers, studies are needed to assess the role of internal adipose tissue, adipokines in the formation of insulin resistance, endothelial dysfunction. It is also needed to evaluate effect of systemic inflammation in the risk of developing complications in a pregnant woman and child, as well as programs for primary prevention of obesity in childbearing age.

Keywords

• pregnancy
• obesity
• cardiovascular risk