# Evaluation of pregnancy outcomes in patients with a history of bariatric surgery

## TL;DR

This study compares pregnancy outcomes in women who had bariatric surgery with those who did not, finding higher risks of complications in the surgery group.

## Contribution

The study provides new insights into the correlation between bariatric surgery and adverse pregnancy outcomes.

## Key findings

- Women with a history of bariatric surgery had higher rates of abortion, IVF, and pregnancy complications.
- Pregnancy outcomes were closely correlated with BMI at the time of pregnancy.
- Bariatric surgery was associated with increased risks of hypertension, gestational diabetes, and premature birth.

## Abstract

Obesity and overweight are significant risk factors for perinatal morbidity and mortality, and an increasing number of women of reproductive age are being offered bariatric surgery. The present study investigated the outcomes of pregnancies and births after bariatric surgery (BS).

All patients who gave birth at our clinic between 2018 and 2023 were included in the study. Individuals who had undergone BS previously were identified using the hospital database, and their medical birth records were obtained for data on pregnancy, delivery, and perinatal results. The results of women who had undergone BS previously were analyzed by comparing them with other pregnancies.

A total of 298 women who had undergone BS previously and 4,374 women who had not undergone surgeries were included in the study. The BS group had higher rates of abortion (p = 0.009) and IVF history (p < 0.001). Additionally, the incidence of pregnancy-induced hypertension (p < 0.001), preeclampsia (p = 0.04), gestational diabetes (GDM) (p < 0.001), premature birth (p < 0.001), cesarean delivery (p < 0.001), and small for gestational age (p < 0.001) was significantly higher in the BS group.

Given the potential hazards associated with obesity in women of reproductive age, BS may be seen as a prudent course of therapy. Our study concluded that pregnancy prognosis is closely correlated with BMI at the time of pregnancy. Previous research revealed similar findings between groups in terms of pregnancy prognosis and pregnancy complications in obese and extremely obese patient groups.