Recurrent pregnancy loss and obesity

Area of Science:

• Reproductive Medicine
• Genetics
• Public Health

Background:

• Recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL), defined as two or more miscarriages, has identifiable causes like antiphospholipid syndrome, uterine anomalies, and chromosomal abnormalities.
• Obesity (BMI > 30 kg/m2) is an emerging risk factor for miscarriage, particularly in early RPL, with an odds ratio of 1.7-3.5.
• Obesity is specifically associated with euploid miscarriage, suggesting a role beyond chromosomal abnormalities.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the link between obesity and recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL).
• To investigate the association of obesity with euploid miscarriage.
• To highlight the potential multifactorial nature of unexplained RPL, including genetic and lifestyle factors.

Main Methods:

• Review of existing literature defining RPL and identifying known causes.
• Analysis of studies correlating body mass index (BMI) with miscarriage risk in RPL patients.
• Examination of associations between obesity and euploid embryo status in RPL.

Main Results:

• Obesity (BMI > 30 kg/m2) is an independent risk factor for further miscarriage in early RPL.
• Obesity is significantly associated with euploid miscarriage, indicating a link beyond chromosomal issues.
• Unexplained RPL with a euploid embryo may be influenced by genetic polymorphisms and lifestyle factors like age, obesity, and smoking.

Conclusions:

• Obesity is a significant, independent risk factor for miscarriage in patients with recurrent pregnancy loss.
• Lifestyle factors, including obesity, play a crucial role in unexplained RPL, even with euploid embryos.
• Further research is needed to investigate the impact of weight loss interventions on preventing miscarriage in RPL patients.