Esiti avversi perinatali correlati all'indice di massa corporea pregravidico

a high body mass index (BMI) during pregnancy has been associated with an increased risk of complications and adverse outcomes for both mother and infant.

to analyse the main adverse maternal and neonatal outcomes associated with maternal excess weight and obesity.

retrospective epidemiological study.

data extrapolated from the Birth Attendance Certificate information flow of the Autonomous Province of Trento (Northern Italy) between 2015 and 2019. A total of 20,756 women with data regarding maternal height and weight at the start of pregnancy were included in the analysis.

gestational outcome variables studied were gestational diabetes, hypertensive disorders, premature birth, and still births. Outcomes considered during labour and delivery were type of delivery, induction, episiotomy and post-partum haemorrhage. Neonatal outcomes were birth weight, Apgar score, need for resuscitation, and hospitalisation in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). Lastly, exclusive breastfeeding at discharge was analysed.

considering the population of pregnant women, 68.3% of women were classified as normal-weight, 9.5% as underweight, 16.0% as overweight, and 6.3% as obese. Maternal excess weight and obesity were seen to be associated with an increased risk of gestational diabetes, gestational hypertension, preeclampsia, caesarean section, induction, post-partum bleeding, foetal macrosomia, and the need for neonatal resuscitation and hospitalisation in the NICU. Infants born to overweight and obese mothers were also less likely to be breastfed.

excess weight and obesity are important risk factors for health and contribute to the onset of complications during pregnancy and adverse perinatal and long-term outcomes. Programming and implementing public health promotion schemes aimed at preventing excessive weight gain in the reproductive age could significantly improve maternal and foetal health.