Maternal body mass index and complications during pregnancy

Background: Obesity is a health problem that is increasing in prevalence globally. Studies have shown that maternal prepregnacy BMI is significantly associated with the risk of adverse perinatal outcomes. Objectives were to observe and compare the effects of BMI on complications during pregnancy, labour, and delivery. Methods: A total of 224 patients were included in the study BMI was calculated and divided into two groups. Group A having patients with BMI >25 kg/m2 group B with normal BMI (18.5-24.9) kg/m2. Results: Majority of patients were between 26-30 years of age in both groups 51.8% in group A and 53.6% in group B. 50.9% and 52.7%, were multipara in group A and B respectively, 49.1% and 47.3% were primigravida’s respectively. Early pregnancy failure was observed in 7.1% and 3.6% in group A and B respectively and Threatened abortion was seen in 6.3% and 2.7% in group A and B respectively. Abruptio placentae was observed in 1.9% in group A and none in group B. Intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy was seen in 30.8% and 18.5% in Group A and B respectively. Gestational diabetes was seen in 37.5% and 11.1% patients in group A and B respectively. Gestational hypertension was seen in 34.6% and 16.7% respectively. Only (1.9%) women in group A were eclamptic against none in the Group B. Mean gestational age at termination of pregnancy of women in group A was 36.7+1.53 weeks and 37.5+1.61 weeks in group B. Majority of women in both the study groups were having >37 weeks of gestation (73.1%) in group A and 88.9%0 in Group B women. Conclusion: Increased maternal BMI is significantly associated with increased risk of antepartum, intrapartum, postpartum, and neonatal complications.