# Effects of Obesity on Pregnancy and Fetomaternal Outcome

## TL;DR

This study shows that severe obesity during pregnancy significantly increases risks for both mothers and babies, leading to more complications and worse outcomes.

## Contribution

The study provides empirical evidence on how varying degrees of maternal obesity affect pregnancy outcomes in a specific population.

## Key findings

- Severe obesity (BMI ≥35) was linked to higher rates of gestational hypertension, preeclampsia, cesarean delivery, and wound infection.
- Babies of severely obese mothers had higher rates of macrosomia, low Apgar scores, and NICU admissions.
- Composite fetomaternal morbidity was more than double in the severe obesity group compared to the less severe group.

## Abstract

Introduction: A growing public health risk linked to unfavorable pregnancy outcomes is maternal obesity. With an emphasis on the incidence and seriousness of difficulties in pregnancies complicated by obesity, this study aims to assess the impact of obesity on the health of both the mother and the fetus.

Methodology: 178 pregnant women with a BMI of 30 kg/m² participated in this 12-month prospective comparative cohort research at the Hayatabad Medical Complex, Peshawar. Group A (BMI 30-34.9 kg/m²; n = 96, 53.9%) and Group B (BMI ≥35 kg/m²; n = 82, 46.1%) were the two groups into which the participants were split. Maternal outcomes (gestational hypertension, preeclampsia, gestational diabetes, cesarean delivery, postpartum hemorrhage, and wound infection) and fetal outcomes (birth weight, macrosomia, Apgar score, neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) admission, and stillbirth) were documented according to Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG) guidelines. Chi-square and independent t-tests were used in the statistical analysis, which was conducted using SPSS version 26.0. A p-value of less than 0.05 was deemed statistically significant.

Results: Group B had significantly higher rates of gestational hypertension 26 (31.7%) vs. 18 (18.8%), preeclampsia 18 (21.9%) vs. 10 (10.4%), cesarean section 51 (62.2%) vs. 39 (40.6%), and wound infection 11 (13.4%) vs. 4 (4.2%) compared to Group A (p < 0.05). Neonatal outcomes were also worse in Group B, including macrosomia 19 (23.2%) vs. 7 (7.3%), low Apgar scores <7 at 5 minutes 14 (17.1%) vs. 6 (6.3%), and NICU admissions 24 (29.3%) vs. 12 (12.5%). Composite fetomaternal morbidity was significantly more common in Group B 35 (42.7%) vs. 20 (20.8%).

Conclusion: Higher degrees of maternal obesity are strongly associated with increased maternal and neonatal complications. Early identification and specialized prenatal care for obese women are essential to minimize risks and improve outcomes.