Frequency of Obesity in Pregnancy and Outcomes in Normal Weight, Over Weight and Obese Pregnant Females

Abstract

Background and Objectives: Obesity is now becoming a significant health problem especially among
women of child bearing age. Obesity has a major bearing on pregnancy outcomes, according to latest reports.
Especially, during ante and intra partumperiod, obesewomen aremore prone to develop adverse complication in
comparison to women with a normal body mass index (BMI).This study aimed to determine the frequency of
normal weight, over weight and obese women presenting for antenatal care and to compare the outcomes in
these females.
Methods: A followup study was conducted from 29th October 2022 to 29 April 2023 .200 subjects were
recruited to the study after informed consent. BMI was recorded and weight category assigned. All these
women were followed-up till 37 weeks of gestation and till delivery. The indications for Caesarean section
included those followed in routine as per labour room protocol. Main outcome variable: Fetal outcome was
assessed using C-section, macrosomia and admission of neonate to NICU.
Results: Weight of 34% women (n=68) were classified as normal, 40.5% (n=81) were overweight and 25.5%
(n=51) as obese. Comparison of outcome in normal weight, over weight and obese pregnant females shows
that of 8 cases of macrosomia, 1 in normal and overweight while 6 cases in obese, of 61 cases of C-section 13
in normal, 15 in overweight and 33 were obese, NICU admission cases were 27, out of which 7 in normal, 6 in
overweight and 14 were in obese group (p value 0.80).
Conclusion: We concluded that on comparison for the outcome in normal weight, over weight and obese
pregnant females, obese and overweight females are higher at the risk of macrosomi;, cesarean birth and
NICU admission of the neonate.