Publication:

Associated comorbidities with obesity in pregnancy and its feto-maternal outcome

Background Obesity is an evolving risk factor in the modern day - a rising global epidemic reported to cause many problems in the pregnant woman - causing ill effects to both the mother and the fetus. Managing the comorbidities associated with obesity is a challenge in obstetric care.

Methods This prospective observational cohort study was conducted at a tertiary care institute over a period of 2 years. 50 antenatal patients fulfilling the inclusion criteria were studied after taking informed consent. The various maternal, fetal and neonatal outcomes were noted to examine the magnitude and significance of the effect of BMI.

Results Obese women have a higher prevalence of infertility and are considered a high-risk state because pregnancy is associated with a higher risk of pre-eclampsia, gestational diabetes mellitus, preterm labour, increased operative and caesarean deliveries, post-partum haemorrhage, post-partum infectious morbidities and a higher incidence of anesthetic and post-operative complications in these deliveries. Neonatal complications include congenital anomalies, fetal macrosomia leading to birth injuries, preterm births and still births. Technical difficulties are faced by the obstetricians while operating and by the anesthesiologists while induction.

Conclusions Considering the adverse effects of obesity on pregnancy outcomes, pre-pregnancy counseling should be done for all overweight and obese females planning conception signifying the negative impact of obesity on maternal and fetal outcome.