Publication:

Comparative study of obstetric outcome in overweight and obese pregnant women

Background The World Health Organization has described obesity as one of today's most neglected public health problems, affecting every region of the globe. The objective of the present study was to compare obstetric outcome in overweight and obese pregnant women.

Methods A prospective observational study was conducted in obstetrics and gynecology department in KEM hospital, Mumbai between 2014- 2015 to study the effects of maternal BMI on maternal and perinatal outcome and to compare the obstetric outcome (maternal and perinatal) between overweight and obese mother. All antenatal patients fulfilling inclusion criteria were divided in two groups, overweight and obese based on BMI 30 kg/m2 respectively. Distribution of maternal risk factors like gestational hypertension and preeclampsia, gestational diabetes mellitus, unfavourable obstetric history specially in previous pregnancy like miscarriages, and instances of fetal demise, history of previous caesarean section and perinatal outcome were studied.

Results Maternal personal characteristics like increased age and low education level were related to high BMI and antenatal complications like gestational diabetes, gestational hypertension, malpresentation, preterm labor, incidences of assisted vaginal delivery and rate of caesarean section and perinatal complications were higher in obese group.

Conclusions The study concluded that obesity has adverse effects on pregnancy outcome on both mothers and their infants. Increased age and low education status in relation with high BMI showed adverse pregnancy outcome. Stronger association seen between family history of obesity and diabetes and increased BMI. This study revealed that GDM, Gestational hypertension and malpresentations found commoner in obese mothers than overweight mothers.