Neonatal outcomes of successful VBAC among obese and super-obese mothers

We sought to evaluate neonatal morbidity and mortality among women who experienced successful vaginal births after previous cesarean delivery (VBAC) by obesity subtypes.

Missouri maternally linked cohort data files were utilized. Analyses were restricted to successful singleton VBACs. Main study outcomes were neonatal death and neonatal morbidity. Risk estimates were obtained using logistic and hazards regression modeling.

A total of 30,017 singleton births met inclusion criteria. The prevalence of VBAC was 2.3%. The neonatal death rate (per 1000) by maternal obesity subtype was 4.1 for moderate, 3.2 for severe, 4.5 for extreme and 14.3 for super-obese. The overall risk for neonatal morbidity was 56% greater among obese women when compared with normal weight women, with risk estimates increased incrementally with ascending body mass index (BMI) (p for trend < 0.01).

Infants of obese women undergoing successful VBAC are at elevated risk for neonatal morbidity, and the risk increases progressively with ascending BMI.