Obesity and stillbirth
Andrea M F Woolner1, Siladitya Bhattacharya2
1Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Division of Applied Health Sciences, School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen Maternity Hospital, Cornhill Road, Aberdeen AB25 2ZL, UK.
Best Practice & Research. Clinical Obstetrics & Gynaecology
|December 3, 2014
Summary
Maternal obesity increases stillbirth risk due to placental and metabolic issues. Optimizing pre-pregnancy weight and increasing antenatal surveillance for obese women are key to reducing stillbirth rates.
Area of Science:
- Obstetrics and Gynecology
- Reproductive Health
- Maternal-Fetal Medicine
Background:
- Maternal obesity rates are rising globally.
- Obesity is an independent risk factor for stillbirth.
- Pathophysiology involves placental dysfunction and maternal metabolic/hormonal imbalances.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the association between maternal obesity and stillbirth.
- To discuss the underlying pathophysiology.
- To recommend strategies for risk reduction.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of recent studies on maternal obesity and stillbirth.
- Analysis of pathophysiological mechanisms.
- Synthesis of clinical recommendations.
Main Results:
- Maternal obesity is linked to abnormal placental function.
- Metabolic and inflammatory changes in obese mothers contribute to risk.
- Obesity is often comorbid with conditions like diabetes, further increasing stillbirth risk.
Conclusions:
- Women of reproductive age should optimize pre-pregnancy weight.
- Weight loss interventions during pregnancy have unproven safety.
- Obese pregnant women require high-risk obstetric care with increased surveillance.
Related Concept Videos
01:24Obesity
1.6K
The Body Mass Index (BMI) is a numerical value derived from a person's weight and height, used to categorize individuals into weight ranges. It is calculated using the formula: weight in kilograms divided by height in meters squared. Obesity is a health condition characterized by excessive accumulation of adipose tissue that poses health risks, often diagnosed with a BMI ≥ 30. This excess fat storage occurs when surplus dietary calories are converted into triglycerides and stored in...
1.6K
01:21Drug Dosing: Obese Patients
351
In the United States, obesity is a prominent concern. It is linked to heightened mortality rates due to increased occurrences of conditions such as hypertension, atherosclerosis, coronary artery disease, and diabetes compared to nonobese individuals. A patient is classified as obese if their actual body weight surpasses the ideal or desirable body weight by 20%, based on Metropolitan Life Insurance Company data. Ideal body weights consider average weights and heights for males and females...
351
01:25Pharmacokinetics in Obese Patients: Drug Absorption and Distribution
425
Obesity significantly alters the pharmacokinetic processes of drug absorption and distribution, presenting unique challenges in medical treatment. The increased fat tissue and decreased lean muscle in obese individuals can significantly affect how drugs are absorbed into the body and distributed across different tissues. This alteration can lead to variances in the effectiveness and safety of medications, necessitating adjustments in dosing or drug selection for obese patients.One notable...
425
01:20Pharmacokinetics in Obese Patients: Drug Metabolism and Excretion
310
Drug metabolism, a critical process in the liver, involves two primary phases: Phase I reactions and Phase II conjugation. Obesity introduces significant alterations in this metabolic process, primarily due to fatty infiltration of the liver, leading to conditions such as nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). This condition can modify the activities of both Phase I and II enzymes, impacting how drugs are metabolized in obese patients.Phase I metabolism sees variable effects across...
310
01:22Diabetes Mellitus: Type 2 and Gestational
5.9K
Type 2 diabetes, characterized by insulin resistance, arises when the insulin receptors on cells lose responsiveness to insulin, diminishing the cell's capacity to take up glucose, resulting in elevated blood glucose levels. To receive a diagnosis of Type 2 diabetes, a series of blood glucose tests are necessary to assess whether the blood glucose falls within normal parameters. If the result is out of the normal range, a patient may be diagnosed as prediabetic or diabetic, depending on the...
5.9K
01:20Pathophysiology of Diabetes
4.7K
Diabetes mellitus is a chronic metabolic disorder characterized by hyperglycemia. The four categories of diabetes are type 1 diabetes, type 2 diabetes, other specific types of diabetes, and gestational diabetes.
Type 1 diabetes is characterized by autoimmune-mediated destruction of pancreatic β cells, with environmental factors potentially triggering this process in genetically susceptible individuals. Despite many not having a family history, certain genes increase susceptibility,...
Type 1 diabetes is characterized by autoimmune-mediated destruction of pancreatic β cells, with environmental factors potentially triggering this process in genetically susceptible individuals. Despite many not having a family history, certain genes increase susceptibility,...
4.7K