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Influence of Preconception Maternal BMI and Gestational Weight Gain on Perinatal Outcomes

Sunita Palo1, Sabina Terzic1

  • 1Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Clinical Center University of Sarajevo, Sarajevo, BIH.

Cureus
|July 6, 2026
PubMed

Introduction Inadequate BMI in women before conception, as well as non-optimal gestational weight gain (GWG) during pregnancy, affects the health of the mother and newborn. The aim of this study was to examine the influence of maternal BMI before conception and GWG during pregnancy on perinatal outcomes in newborns and mothers. Methods A retrospective study was conducted at the Clinic for Gynecology and Obstetrics and the Pediatric Clinic, Clinical Center University of Sarajevo (CCUS), from January 1, 2024 to December 31, 2024. A total of 2,067 participants were included in the study. Descriptive statistical methods were used. The analyzed perinatal outcomes included method of conception, type of delivery, birth weight of newborns, Apgar score at 1 minute, need for NICU hospitalization, and development of disease or other complications related to maternal health. Results The majority of the participants, 60.9% (n = 1,259), had a normal BMI, 27.1% (n = 559) were overweight, 9.1% (n = 189) were obese, and 2.9% (n = 60) were underweight. The average GWG was 15.1 kg; 46.0% (n = 952) of the subjects had excessive GWG, 37.4% (n = 772) had GWG within the recommended range, and 16.6% (n = 343) had low GWG. A statistically significant association was found between maternal BMI and mode of conception, type of delivery, prematurity, birth weight, Apgar score, need for NICU hospitalization, and presence of maternal diseases. GWG was significantly associated with infant birth weight, Apgar score, and the presence of maternal diseases. Conclusion The conducted study provides data on the significant and non-negligible association of inadequate maternal BMI before pregnancy and non-optimal GWG during pregnancy with adverse perinatal outcomes. Education and preventive promotion of body weight control must become a priority in public health among women and future mothers to reduce the risk of less favorable perinatal outcomes for the mother and newborn.

Keywords:
body mass indexgestational weight gainneonatologyperinatal outcomesperinatology

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