Study of maternal and fetal outcomes in obese women

Obesity in Indian women had increased from 10.6% to 14.8% in India. Mothers who are overweight or obese during pregnancy and childbirth cause significant antenatal, intrapartum, postpartum and also neonatal complications.

The present study aimed to explore various maternal and fetal outcomes influenced by maternal obesity. The objective was to find the effect of obesity on maternal and perinatal outcome among obese pregnant women compared to those of normal weight.

The study was conducted in antenatal women attending antenatal outpatient department of of Obstetrics and Gynecology in a teriary care referral hospital in Mumbai. Results recorded in simple percentages.

Eighteen percent cases developed gestational diabetes mellitus during their antenatal period and 15% developed gestational hypertension. 44% patients underwent lower segment caesarean section. The need for induction of labour and caesarean section was found to be 37% which is significantly higher. Increased NICU admissions due to hypoglycemia or congenital malformations,prematurity was found to be on a higher side.

It was clearly evident from the present study that maternal obesity had adverse maternal and fetal outcomes. Maternal obesity was strongly associated with antenatal complications like gestational diabetes mellitus, gestational hypertension, preeclampsia and increase in need for induction of labour and operative interference.