Pregnancy outcome in overweight and obese mothers at a tertiary care Hospital

Abstract

Introduction: Maternal obesity has been associated with increased risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes. The aim of this study was to determine the impact of increased body mass index on pregnancy outcome in women delivering at Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital.

Methods: This was a retrospective comparative study carried out in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology of TU Teaching Hospital. The study was carried from 1 April 2016 to 31 July 2016. Women were categorized according to booking BMI into three groups: normal (18.5-24.9kg/m²). overweight (25.0-29.9 kg/m²) and obese (≥30 kg/m²). Obstetrical and neonatal outcomes were evaluated using normal group as reference. The outcome variables were maternal hypertensive disorders, type of labor and delivery, blood loss, hospital stay, birth weight, preterm delivery and NICU admission.

Results: During the study period, there were 228 mothers of whom 114 were normal weight, 85 overweight and 29 obese. The mean age and multipara were significantly higher in over weight and obese as compared to normal weight women. The overweight and obese mothers were at an increased risk of hypertensive disorders (OR3.3, 95%CI 1.4-8.1 and OR10.8, 95%CI 3.9-30.0), cesarean section (OR 2.2 95%CI 1.2-3.8 and OR 4.2, 95%CI 1.7-10.2), post partum hemorrhage (OR 3.8 95%CI 1.0- 14.9), longer mean hospital stay and adverse neonatal outcome like macrosomia, preterm birth and NICU admission.

Conclusions: Overweight and obese mothers appear to be at an increased risk of hypertensive disorders, cesarean section, postpartum hemorrhage and neonatal problems like macrosomia, preterm birth and NICU admission in comparison to normal weight mothers