Association between Gestational Weight Gain and Neonatal Hypoxic and Traumatic Events: Results from a Large Retrospective Cohort

Objective: Most of the published studies focus on the relationship between gestational weight gain (GWG) and maternal outcomes, and less so on the neonatal outcomes. Furthermore, optimal GWG ranges defined by the Institute of Medicine were challenged by research showing the benefits of smaller GWG for overweight and obese mothers. Therefore, we intended to assess whether there is an association between GWG and hypoxic or traumatic events in the neonate, especially among overweight and obese mothers, as we sought the best methodological approach to study GWG. Study Design: We used the Consortium on Safe Labor data, a retrospective cohort study collecting pregnancy data from 2002 to 2008 in 12 U.S. centers. The association between GWG and neonatal morbidity was estimated in singleton gestations ≥ 37 weeks' gestation using binomial logistic regression models. GWG was analyzed as a continuous linear, continuous quadratic, categorical, and binary variable. The Hosmer-Lemeshow test (HL) assessed calibration of the models, the Brier score evaluated calibration and the overall model performance, whereas the area under the receiver-operating characteristic curve (AUC) measured discrimination. Results: > 0.01). In contrast, discrimination was poor for all models (AUCs ≤ 0.6), as their Brier score reached the cutoff value of 0.07 for ischemic and 0.02 for traumatic morbidity. Conclusion: In conclusion, while GWG was associated with neonatal morbidity, it was not predictive of neonatal ischemic or traumatic events. Key Points: · As GWG increases, the risk of hypoxic and traumatic neonatal events rises significantly.. · The weight-gain above which adverse neonatal events increase depends on the way GWG was analyzed.. · There is no ideal methodological approach to study GWG and base recommendations on.. · Our multivariable models could not accurately predict infant morbidity based on GWG..