Publication:

Study of relationship between maternal high body mass index and obstetrical outcome

Background Evaluate the impact of higher body mass index (BMI) on the maternal and perinatal outcome in pregnancies complicated by obesity.

Methods This is prospective cohort study conducted in obstetrics and gynaecology department. The 86 women with BMI>25 kg/m2 (cases) were compared with 90 women with BMI<25 kg/m2 (control) with regard to ante-natal complications, intervention in labour, maternal morbidity and neonatal outcome. Outcome of these variables in both groups were calculated statistically.

Results Obese women were significantly more likely to have gestational hypertension (OR=5.14; p=0.023) preeclampsia (OR=2.72; p=0.0445), gestational diabetes (OR=5.78; p=0.0133), abnormal weight gain (p=0.0001), induced labour (OR=2.26; p=0.04), cesarean delivery (OR=3.09; p=0.001), wound infection (OR=2.59; p=0.01) and adverse neonatal outcome.

Conclusions Obesity is an independent risk factor for adverse pregnancy outcomes and hence preventable steps should be taken for reducing the maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality.