Correlation between Sonographic Markers of Fetal Adiposity and Adverse Perinatal Outcomes: A Prospective Observational Study

Aim:To evaluate the correlation between sonographic markers of fetal adiposity and adverse perinatal outcomes.Methodology: This observational comparative study was conducted between January 2021 and January 2022 in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at a tertiary care teaching hospital in Puducherry.A total of 188 term pregnant women (39-41 weeks gestation) with no pre-existing comorbidities were included.Fetal abdominal and thigh adiposity were measured during routine antenatal growth scans, and a composite fetal adiposity score was calculated.Participants were divided into two groups based on whether their fetal adiposity was 90th percentile or <90th percentile.Maternal and neonatal outcomes were compared using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS).Results: Fetal adiposity showed a significant positive correlation with maternal pre-pregnancy body mass index (BMI) and neonatal birth weight.Women in the higher fetal adiposity group were more likely to fall into obesity class I or II, a statistically significant finding.This group also demonstrated significantly higher rates of adverse outcomes, including emergency cesarean delivery, atonic postpartum hemorrhage, and neonatal complications such as low-APGAR scores and respiratory distress. Conclusion:The findings highlight a strong association between increased fetal adiposity and adverse perinatal outcomes, emphasizing the higher risk of emergency cesarean sections, intrapartum complications, and neonatal morbidities.Additionally, maternal pre-pregnancy BMI emerged as a key determinant of fetal adiposity.These results suggest the need for enhanced surveillance and individualized obstetric care for women with elevated pre-pregnancy BMI to mitigate risks associated with excessive fetal adiposity.