Publication:

A comparative study of the effect of body mass index on pregnancy outcomes in normal and overweight women

Background Maternal obesity has been reported as a risk factor for various antepartum, intrapartum, postpartum and neonatal complications. Increasing rates of overweight among pregnant women are a significant public health concern with various implications for prenatal care and supervision of delivery. Therefore, the present study is to determine the adverse materno-fetal outcome in primigravid overweight and obese women delivering singleton babies.

Methods A prospective comparative study was conducted for a year at IMCH, Medical College, Calicut. Primigravid women with a singleton uncomplicated pregnancy with cephalic presentation at ≥37 weeks of gestation with accurate information regarding height and weight recorded at the booking visit were included in the study. Comparisons were made between 100 women with BMI >25 and 200 women with BMI 18.5-24.9. Statistical analysis was done using SPSS version 16.0. Data was analysed by Pearson Chi square test and Fisher’s exact test.

Results Overweight mothers are at increased risk quoted as relative risk (RR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) of adverse materno-fetal outcomes. Gestational hypertension RR 2.39 (CI 1.65-3.47), Gestational diabetes RR 2.67(CI 0.95-7.48), induction of labour RR 2.35 (CI 1.4-3.95), Cesarean section RR 5.73 (CI 3.76-8.73), macrosomia RR 14 (CI 1.75-112.23), NICU admissions RR 4.51(CI 2.61-7.84),perineal lacerations RR 4.72 (CI 1.15-20.4), wound infection RR 2.97 (CI 1.06-8.41), and prolonged hospital stay.

Conclusions It is clearly evident from the study that maternal overweight and obesity is associated with adverse materno-fetal outcome.