Publication:

Observational study of effect of body mass index on fetomaternal outcome in pregnancy

Background Maternal body mass index (BMI), is a key predictor of pregnancy-related outcomes. Pre-pregnancy BMI and gestational weight gain are closely linked to both maternal and neonatal health. The study was conducted to evaluate the impact of maternal BMI on pregnancy, labour and neonatal outcome.

Methods This was a cross-sectional observational study. This study was conducted in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Tertiary Care Institute (Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Hospital, Kalwa) between July 2025 and December 2025. About 400 antenatal women registered in our hospital during the first trimester were enrolled in the study. Their BMI was calculated and each of them were allotted into 4 separate groups based on their BMI. Women are asked for routine antenatal visits in the OPD. At the end obstetric outcomes, perinatal outcome and neonatal outcomes were observed. Data entry was done in Microsoft excel and analysis was done using a software Epi Info 7.

Results The present study demonstrates that increasing BMI is significantly associated with hypertensive disorders, GDM, postdatism, induction of labour, LSCS, and wound complications. Underweight status is associated with anaemia, preterm labour and IUGR.

Conclusions Our study points out the numerous maternal and perinatal risks are associated with overweight, obese and underweight pregnant women. Hence these groups of women need to be regarded as ‘high risk’ when counselling and risk assessment is done in the antenatal clinic.