Impact of maternal obesity on maternal and neonatal outcomes: A case-control study at a tertiary care centre in South Bihar.
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.51168/sjhrafrica.v6i6.1961Keywords:
Maternal obesity, Prepregnancy Body Mass Index, Gestational weight gain, Pregnancy outcomes, Gestational hypertensionAbstract
Background
Maternal obesity has emerged as a significant public health concern, particularly in low- and middle-income countries, due to its association with increased maternal and neonatal complications. Both prepregnancy Body Mass Index (BMI) and gestational weight gain (GWG) are linked to adverse pregnancy outcomes.
Aim: To evaluate the impact of prepregnancy Body Mass Index (BMI) and gestational weight gain (GWG) on maternal and neonatal outcomes among term pregnancies.
Methods
This case-control observational study was conducted at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Narayan Medical College, Sasaram, Bihar, from Dec 2022 to Dec 2023. A total of 400 singleton pregnant women attending their first antenatal visit before 16 weeks of gestation were enrolled and categorized into two groups: BMI <25 kg/m² (n=200) and BMI ≥25 kg/m² (n=200). Participants were followed through pregnancy, labor, and postpartum. Statistical analysis was conducted using SPSS version 26.0.
Results
Obesity was more prevalent among women aged ≥30 years and those from lower socioeconomic classes. Women with BMI ≥25 kg/m² had significantly higher incidences of gestational hypertension (31.3% vs. 6.3%), gestational diabetes mellitus (22.9% vs. 4.5%), preeclampsia/eclampsia (7.8% vs. 1.1%), prolonged labor (9.6% vs. 2.3%), and emergency cesarean delivery (53.0% vs. 11.4%) compared to women with BMI <25 kg/m² (p<0.01 for all). No significant differences were noted in fetal growth restriction, gestational age at delivery, congenital anomalies, or newborn birth weight.
Conclusion
Maternal obesity is significantly associated with increased risks of hypertensive disorders, gestational diabetes, labor complications, and cesarean deliveries.
Recommendation
Early BMI screening, preconception counseling, and tailored antenatal care strategies are essential for mitigating obesity-related pregnancy complications in resource-constrained settings.
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