Association between maternal and fetal weight gain: cohort study
Bárbara Miranda Ferreira Costa1, Régis Resende Paulinelli, Maria Alves Barbosa
1Department of Nutrition, Universidade Paulista, Goiânia, Brazil. babinut@hotmail.com
Sao Paulo Medical Journal = Revista Paulista De Medicina
|September 12, 2012
Summary
Excessive gestational weight gain significantly increases fetal birth weight and the risk of macrosomia. This finding highlights the importance of monitoring maternal weight during pregnancy to prevent complications.
Area of Science:
- Obstetrics and Gynecology
- Maternal-Fetal Medicine
- Public Health
Background:
- Excessive gestational weight gain is a known risk factor for adverse maternal and fetal outcomes.
- Macrosomia, a condition of excessive fetal growth, is associated with numerous complications, including intrauterine death and childhood obesity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between maternal gestational weight gain and fetal birth weight.
- To determine the incidence of macrosomia in relation to maternal weight gain patterns.
Main Methods:
- A cohort study was conducted with 200 healthy pregnant women in two public maternity hospitals.
- Participants were divided into groups based on normal versus excessive gestational weight gain.
- Fetal birth weight and macrosomia incidence were compared between the groups.
Main Results:
- Women with excessive gestational weight gain had significantly higher fetal birth weights (3,388.83 g ± 514.44 g) compared to those with normal weight gain (3,175.86 g ± 413.70 g).
- The incidence of macrosomia was 13.0% in the excessive weight gain group, versus 0.0% in the normal weight gain group.
- Overall macrosomia incidence in the study population was 6.5%.
Conclusions:
- Excessive maternal weight gain during pregnancy is strongly associated with increased fetal birth weight.
- Maternal weight gain patterns directly impact the incidence of macrosomia, underscoring the need for management strategies.
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