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Effects of Bariatric Surgery on Maternal and Infant Outcomes of Pregnancy-An Evidence Analysis Center Systematic
Insights
Bariatric surgery before pregnancy reduced infant birth weight but did not increase risks for miscarriage, preterm birth, or infant complications. Further research is needed to establish clinical guidelines for bariatric surgery and pregnancy.
Area of Science:
- Obstetrics and Gynecology
- Bariatric Surgery Outcomes
- Maternal-Fetal Medicine
Background:
- Obesity in pregnant individuals poses significant risks to both mother and child.
- The impact of bariatric surgery on pregnancy outcomes remains largely undetermined.
- Understanding these effects is crucial for managing high-risk pregnancies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically review the effects of bariatric surgery on maternal and infant health outcomes during pregnancy.
- To synthesize evidence on pregnancy after bariatric procedures.
- To identify potential risks and benefits associated with bariatric surgery in pregnancy.
Main Methods:
- A systematic review was conducted following the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Evidence Analysis Library process.
- A comprehensive literature search of PubMed (2000-2015) identified relevant experimental and observational studies with control groups.
- Key maternal and infant health outcomes were analyzed.
Main Results:
- Bariatric surgery prior to pregnancy was associated with reduced infant birth weight (in grams) compared to controls.
- No increased risk of adverse outcomes like miscarriage, stillbirth, or preterm birth was observed.
- Maternal gestational weight gain and Apgar scores were not significantly affected; however, effects on maternal complications and infant birth weight categories were inconsistent.
Conclusions:
- Bariatric surgery effectively treats maternal obesity but may carry surgery-specific risks during pregnancy.
- Current data are insufficient to establish definitive clinical guidelines.
- Long-term effects of bariatric surgery on pregnancy outcomes require further investigation.
Background:
While obesity presents specific acute and long-term risks to the pregnant woman and her offspring, the effects of bariatric surgery on pregnancy outcomes are undetermined.
Objective:
A systematic review was performed according to the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Evidence Analysis Library process to determine the effects of bariatric surgery on both maternal and infant health outcomes of pregnancy.
Design:
A comprehensive literature search of PubMed was conducted to identify studies published from years 2000 to 2015 that examined the health effects of pregnancy after bariatric surgery. Experimental studies and observational studies with a control group were included.
Main Outcome Measures:
Outcomes of interest were gestational weight gain, maternal complications (ie, gestational diabetes, pre-eclampsia, eclampsia, hypertension, and postpartum hemorrhage), miscarriage and/or stillbirth, cesarean section, birth weight in grams, birth weight in categories (ie, macrosomia, low birth weight, small for gestational age, and large for gestational age), gestational age and preterm birth, infant illness and complications (ie, perinatal death, admission to neonatal intensive care unit, neonatal illness, and congenital malformation rates), and Apgar scores.
Results:
Thirteen of 246 studies were included. Compared to body mass index-matched controls without surgery, bariatric surgery before pregnancy reduced infant birth weight in grams, with no effect on total maternal gestational weight gain or Apgar scores. Surgery did not increase risk of adverse outcomes, such as miscarriage and/or stillbirth, preterm birth, or infant complications. Effects of surgery on maternal complications, infant birth weight categories, and surgical delivery rates were inconsistent.
Conclusions:
Bariatric surgery is a successful treatment of maternal obesity, but certain surgery-specific risks may exist. More data are needed to determine clinical guidelines. The long-term effects of surgery on pregnancy outcomes are unknown.
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