Obesity and pregnancy
Kirsten Riis Andreasen1, Malene Lundgren Andersen, Anne Louise Schantz
1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, H: S Hvidovre Hospital, University of Copenhagen, Denmark. kra@privat.dk
Background:
As obesity is an increasing problem among fertile women, it is crucial that specialists involved in the treatment of these women be aware of the risks of complications and know how to deal with them. Complications associated with obesity in pregnancy are gestational diabetes mellitus, hypertensive disorders, and thromboembolic complications. Complications associated with obesity in labor are augmentation, early amniotomy, cephalopelvic disproportion, cesarean section, and perioperative morbidity. Complications associated with obesity in children are macrosomia, shoulder dystocia, small for gestational age, late fetal death, and congenital malformations, especially neural tube defects.
Objective:
The aim was to review the potential complications associated with obesity and pregnancy.
Results:
Obesity is associated with a higher risk of all reviewed complications except small for gestational age.
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