Association of high pre-pregnancy body mass index with adverse maternal and perinatal outcomes

Qudsia Qazi1, Nazia Liaqat2, Fauzia Afridi3

  • 1Dr. Qudsia Qazi, FCPS. Associate Professor, Department of Gynae, Medical Teaching Institute, Lady Reading Hospital, Peshawar, Pakistan.

PubMed

Insights

High pre-pregnancy Body Mass Index (BMI) is linked to increased risks for mothers and newborns, including postpartum hemorrhage and macrosomia. Maintaining a healthy BMI before conception is crucial for better pregnancy outcomes.

Area of Science:

  • Obstetrics and Gynecology
  • Maternal-Fetal Medicine
  • Public Health & Epidemiology

Background:

  • Obesity is a global epidemic impacting maternal and fetal health.
  • Elevated pre-pregnancy Body Mass Index (BMI) is associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes.
  • Limited regional data exists on the impact of high pre-pregnancy BMI in this specific area.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between high pre-pregnancy BMI and adverse maternal and perinatal outcomes.
  • To identify specific risks linked to elevated BMI before conception.

Main Methods:

  • A cohort study involving 390 pregnant patients was conducted.
  • Participants were categorized into two groups based on pre-pregnancy BMI (<25 and ≥25).
  • Data was collected from the third trimester through delivery and discharge.

Main Results:

  • A statistically significant association was found between raised pre-pregnancy BMI and increased maternal risks, including postpartum hemorrhage and genital tract trauma.
  • Neonatal risks significantly linked to high pre-pregnancy BMI included macrosomia and low one-minute APGAR scores.
  • No significant difference in delivery modes (vaginal vs. cesarean) was observed between groups.

Conclusions:

  • Maternal pre-conception Body Mass Index (BMI) of 25 or higher is associated with poorer maternal and perinatal outcomes.
  • Managing pre-pregnancy BMI is essential for mitigating risks during pregnancy and childbirth.
Abstract

Related Concept Videos

Obesity01:24

Obesity

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...
501
Pathophysiology of Diabetes01:20

Pathophysiology of Diabetes

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,...
935
Diabetes Mellitus: Type 2 and Gestational01:22

Diabetes Mellitus: Type 2 and Gestational

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...
2.4K
Teratogenicity01:07

Teratogenicity

The ability of a drug to produce structural deformations and functional abnormalities in the developing embryo or the fetus is called teratogenicity, and the drug producing this effect is known as a teratogen. Teratogenic effects include stillbirth, miscarriage, intrauterine growth restriction, and neurocognitive delay. A teratogen may affect the embryo at different stages of development, which is important in determining the type and extent of the damage. During blastocyst formation, the early...
2.4K
Anorexia Nervosa01:28

Anorexia Nervosa

Anorexia nervosa is a complex and severe eating disorder characterized by an intense fear of weight gain, an unrelenting pursuit of thinness, and a distorted body image. It often leads to dangerously low body weight relative to an individual's age and height. This disorder is marked by significant physical and psychological consequences, making it one of the most life-threatening psychiatric illnesses.
Symptoms and Physical Effects
Individuals with anorexia nervosa commonly exhibit extreme...
68
Bulimia Nervosa01:30

Bulimia Nervosa

Bulimia nervosa is a complex and severe eating disorder characterized by a cyclical pattern of binge-and-purge eating pattern. It generally involves an episode of binge eating, followed by compensatory behaviors such as vomiting, excessive exercise, laxative use, or fasting, to prevent weight gain. Despite often maintaining a normal weight, individuals with bulimia are intensely preoccupied with their body image and harbor an overwhelming fear of gaining weight. This can contribute to the...
78