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Association between maternal body mass index and hospital admissions for infection in offspring: longitudinal cohort

Victoria Coathup1, Claire Carson1, Helen Ashdown2

  • 1National Perinatal Epidemiology Unit, Nuffield Department of Population Health, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK.

BMJ Medicine
|June 16, 2025
PubMed

Insights

Maternal obesity (grades 2-3) is linked to increased childhood hospital admissions for infections. Supporting mothers in achieving a healthy weight before and after pregnancy is crucial for child health.

Area of Science:

  • Public Health
  • Epidemiology
  • Pediatrics

Background:

  • Maternal pre-pregnancy body mass index (BMI) is a critical factor influencing offspring health outcomes.
  • Understanding the relationship between maternal weight status and pediatric infections is essential for preventative strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To examine the association between maternal body mass index (BMI) and offspring hospital admissions for infections.
  • To identify potential modifiable factors that mediate this relationship.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized the Born in Bradford longitudinal, multi-ethnic birth cohort (9540 singleton births).
  • Linked maternal pre-pregnancy BMI data with routine hospital admission records from birth to age 15 years.
  • Analyzed infection-related hospital admissions across different childhood age categories (<1, 1-4, 5-15 years).

Main Results:

  • A positive association was observed between higher maternal BMI (obesity grades 2-3) and infection-related hospital admissions in offspring.
  • Children born to mothers with obesity grades 2-3 had significantly higher adjusted rate ratios for infection admissions (e.g., 1.41 at <1 year, 1.53 by 5-15 years).
  • Associations were noted for respiratory, gastrointestinal, and multisystem viral infections; caesarean birth and child obesity partially mediated the link.

Conclusions:

  • A consistent association exists between maternal obesity (grades 2-3) and increased hospital admissions for infections throughout childhood.
  • Public health initiatives and healthcare providers should prioritize supporting maternal weight management preconceptionally and postpartumly.
Abstract

Keywords:
EpidemiologyInfectious disease medicinePediatrics

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