RELATIONSHIP OF MATERNAL MORBIDITY AND MORTALITY TO HIGH BODY MASS INDEX (BMI) PREGNANCIES IN PAKISTAN

Area of Science:

• Obstetrics and Gynaecology
• Public Health
• Maternal Health

Background:

• Rising average Body Mass Index (BMI) in low-resource countries like Pakistan contributes to increased pregnancy-related complications.
• High BMI is associated with significant maternal morbidity and mortality during pregnancy and the postpartum period.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the association between high maternal Body Mass Index (BMI) and pregnancy-related complications.
• To compare demographic and clinical characteristics of overweight and obese pregnant women.

Main Methods:

• A descriptive longitudinal study conducted in Karachi, Pakistan, from August 2022 to January 2023.
• Included women with first-trimester weight records, stratified into overweight (BMI 25.0-29.9) and obese (BMI ≥30.0) groups.
• Utilized univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis to compare groups and identify risk factors.

Main Results:

• A high BMI was observed in 15.7% of participants, with complications including pre-eclampsia (16.7%), gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) (18.9%), and postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) (15.2%).
• Caesarean section was the predominant delivery mode (55.7%).
• Obese women had double the odds of complications compared to overweight women, with significant associations noted for advanced maternal age, diabetes, hypertension, pre-eclampsia, and wound infection.

Conclusions:

• Maternal obesity in early pregnancy is strongly associated with numerous severe complications throughout pregnancy, delivery, and the postpartum period.
• The findings emphasize the need for targeted interventions to manage maternal weight and mitigate risks in high-BMI populations.