EFFECTS OF MATERNAL OBESITY ON PREGNANCY COMPLICATIONS AND FETAL DEVELOPMENT.
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Keywords
Maternal Obesity; Pregnancy Complications; Fetal Development; Gestational Diabetes; Hypertension
Abstract
Background: Maternal obesity is recognized as a serious risk factor that leads to the complication of pregnancy and outcomes of poor fetal development. It predisposes both maternal and neonatal health to the consequences of gestational diabetes, hypertension, and macrosomia. Knowledge of these effects is necessary in coming up with preventive measures to enhance the outcome of pregnancies.
Objectives: To determine the effect of obesity in women during pregnancy on complications and fetal development, the concern should be on maternal health, delivery effects and the long-term exposure to offspring.
Study Design: A Prospective Cohort Study.
Place and Durtion of Study. Department of Gyne & Obs Khalifa Gulnawaz Teaching Hospital MTI Bannu from jan 2023 to july 2024
Methods: This prospective cohort study included 100 obese pregnant women who were monitored for pregnancy complications and fetal development outcomes. Data were collected preoperatively, intraoperative, and postoperatively, focusing on maternal health, delivery outcomes, and fetal development. The study assessed complications such as gestational diabetes, hypertension, and macrosomia. Statistical analyses were performed using descriptive statistics (mean and standard deviation) and inferential tests (chi-square and t-tests) to evaluate the differences between groups. A p-value of <0.05 was considered statistically significant.
Results: Among 100 obese pregnant women, 32 percent of the women developed gestational diabetes mellitus and 28 percent had pregnancy induced hypertension. In 45 percent, a cesarean was necessary because of such complications as cephalopelvic disproportions and labored delivery. Macrosomia was found among 22% of neonates and 12% of neonates had low Apgar scores at 1 minute. In 15% of the cases preterm delivery was reported. The morbidity of maternal complications was more in women who had combined complications due to obesity. The statistical test has indicated significant correlations between maternal obesity and gestational diabetes (p=0.01), hypertension (p=0.03), and macrosomia (p=0.02), thus validating obesity as a risk factor that contributes to negative pregnancy and birth outcomes.
Conclusion: The present study reveals that maternal obesity is a major risk factor of pregnancy complications and adverse fetal outcomes. Gestational diabetes mellitus, hypertension and increased rates of cesarean birth were more common among obese women. Obese mothers had higher risks of babies being exposed to macrosomia, low Apgar scores, and preterm birth. These results underscore the vital role of screening in early life, nutritional education and weight control before and during pregnancy in order to reduce the risks. In order to make maternal health and neonatal prognosis better, preventive strategies and patient education are necessitated in the groups where obesity among the population is increasing.
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Asma Qadir
Consultant Gynecologist Type D Hospital Latamber Karak
Fozia Amin
Consultant Gynecologist Khalifa Gulnawaz Teaching Hospital MTI Bannu
Mah Rukh
Consultant Gynecologist Frontier Corps Teaching Hospital Peshawar.
Zainab Pirzada
Consultant Gynecologist Khalifa Gulnawaz Teaching Hospital MTI Bannu