Gestational weight gain ranges in normal and morbid outcomes of pregnancy in a South Indian cohort

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the gestational weight gain (GWG) in normal pregnancy and pregnancy-related morbidities in a cohort of South Indian pregnant women in order to address the lack of data on population-specific Indian GWG ranges. METHOD: This observational study included pregnant women who delivered in KAHER's Dr. Prabhakar Kore Charitable Hospital, Belagavi. A univariate regression model was used to study the association of excess and suboptimal GWG with the occurrence of morbid outcomes in pregnancy. RESULTS: Among 3603 deliveries, 2003 women were screened for eligibility, and 350 participants were included based on the inclusion criteria. Participants were categorized into two groups: normal outcomes (104; 29.7%), and outcomes with morbidities (246; 70.3%). Excess GWG was observed in various morbidities: macrosomia (15.40 ± 5.35 kg), diabetes in pregnancy (12.96 ± 5.86 kg), pregnancy-induced hypertension (12.91 ± 4.97 kg), maternal intensive care unit (ICU) admissions (12.16 ± 4.2 kg), and emergency lower segment cesarean (11.21 ± 4.75 kg) compared with GWG in women with normal outcome. Suboptimal GWG was observed in other morbidities: low birth weight (10.24 ± 4.23 kg), stillbirth (9 ± 5.77 kg), neonatal ICU admission (8.58 ± 3.34 kg), and fetal growth restriction (8.71 ± 3.15 kg). CONCLUSION: The mean GWG in the South Indian cohort of pregnant women was lower than the IOM (Institute of Medicine) recommendations. India-specific GWG guidelines are needed to optimize maternal and neonatal health through evidence-based prenatal care strategies.