Maternal obesity and stillbirth
1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, USA. hamisu.salihu@gmail.com
Seminars in Perinatology
|November 24, 2011
Summary
Maternal obesity significantly increases stillbirth risk, with risk escalating with obesity severity. Normalizing body mass index (BMI) between pregnancies improves fetal survival, suggesting a causal link.
Area of Science:
- Obstetrics and Gynecology
- Perinatal Medicine
- Public Health
Background:
- The global obesity epidemic presents a significant public health challenge.
- Obesity during pregnancy is increasingly recognized as a risk factor for adverse fetal outcomes.
- Understanding the specific risks associated with maternal obesity is crucial for improving perinatal care.
Purpose of the Study:
- To synthesize current evidence on the association between maternal obesity and the risk of stillbirth.
- To evaluate how obesity severity and changes in body mass index (BMI) between pregnancies impact fetal survival.
- To assess the potential causal relationship between maternal obesity and stillbirth.
Main Methods:
- A comprehensive review of existing literature was conducted.
- Evidence linking maternal pre-pregnancy obesity to stillbirth risk was compiled and analyzed.
- Risk estimates were examined in relation to obesity severity and interpregnancy BMI changes.
Main Results:
- A substantial body of evidence indicates an increased risk of stillbirth in obese mothers.
- The risk of stillbirth escalates with increasing severity of maternal obesity.
- Improvements in fetal survival were observed in pregnancies following interpregnancy BMI normalization among previously obese women.
- The risk affects all gestations, with the highest risk (4-fold increase) noted in triplet gestations.
Conclusions:
- The evidence strongly suggests a causal relationship between maternal obesity and stillbirth.
- Maternal pre-pregnancy obesity is a significant risk factor for stillbirth across all gestation types.
- Interpregnancy weight management in obese women can enhance fetal survival in subsequent pregnancies.
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