Maternal obesity - Risks and outcome

Abstract

Background: The increasing rate of maternal obesity in reproductive age group is a major challenge to obstetricians, as it can result in adverse outcomes for both women and foetuses making the pregnancy a high risk one. Aim and objectives of the study: Aim of the study is to evaluate the effect of obesity on maternal and perinatal outcome, in obesity complicating pregnancies. Objective is to assess the risk of obesity related complications in pregnancy by comparing with pregnancies with normal BMI. Methodology: Prospective cohort study done between January 2017 – January 2018 in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Gitam Institute of Medical Sciences and Research - hospital, deemed to be University, Visakhapatnam. Results: One hundred and five pregnant (105) women with BMI > 30kg/m2 and two hundred and ten (210) pregnant women with BMI 18.5kg/m2 to 25kg/m2 were selected and were followed prospectively. Obese group had 9.35 fold increased risk of gestational diabetes, 7.0 fold increased risk of preeclampsia and increased caesarean delivery rate (56.57%). There were increased admissions to NICU among newborns of obese women (25.26%) when compared to control group (8.37%). Conclusion: Pregnancies in obese women should be regarded as high risk pregnancies and appropriate antenatal, intranatal and post-natal care should be provided with heightened surveillance, with anticipation, early diagnosis and prompt intervention.

Keywords

• bmi
• maternal outcome
• foetal outcome
• obesity
• gdm