OBSTETRICAL COMPLICATIONS OF MATERNAL OVE RWEIGHT

Overweight is associated with a higher risk of cardiovascular and meta bolic disease. Pregnancy in obese women frequently results in an incre ased incidence of maternal complications (gestational diabetes, hypert ension, toxemia) and adverse perinatal outcome (macrosomia, perinatal mortality). Cesarian deliveries are also more frequent in obese women, mainly because of cephalopelvic disproportion due to macrosomia. Opti mal treatment for gestational diabetes is difficult to achieve, althou gh hyperglycemia further impairs maternofoetal prognosis. The incidenc e of intrauterine growth retardation is not increased in obese pregnan cy. A successful obstetrical outcome may be achievable through multidi sciplinary antenatal management.