Impact of Bariatric Surgery on Newborn Growth Parameters

We are aimed at assessing the influence of different bariatric procedures on fetal growth and risk of small-for-gestational-age (SGA) infants.

This retrospective study was conducted at one hospital in Lebanon. A group of pregnant women with a history of bariatric procedures (n = 36) was compared with a control group of women without prior bariatric surgery (n = 98). Then, the study group was further stratified according to the type of procedure into purely restrictive and mixed bariatric techniques.

Pregnancies following bariatric surgery were associated with significantly lower mean birthweight, shorter birth length, and smaller head circumference, along with a decreased likelihood of large-for-gestational-age infants. In contrast, the risk of SGA infants was higher.

Our findings suggest a potential association between pregnancy following bariatric surgery and an increased risk of SGA infants. These results underscore the importance of providing appropriate preoperative counseling to women of reproductive age considering such procedures. For those with a history of bariatric surgery, optimizing nutritional status prior to conception and ensuring close monitoring of maternal nutrition and fetal growth throughout pregnancy are crucial. Preventive strategies aimed at reducing the risk of SGA outcomes in this population should be emphasized.