Obesity: a maternal high-risk factor

In reviewing maternal mortality in Minnesota over the last 10-year period, obesity proved to be a major high-risk factor to the parturient. In the following report 12 per cent of the study group weighed over 200 lb in the nonpregnant state. Pulmonary embolism was the leading cause of death in obese group. Obstetricians are encourged to recognize the possible complications that obesity poses in the pregnancy period.