Maternal obesity and pregnancy outcome

Background: Obesity, a common condition in developed countries, is recogniz ed as a threat to health, Objectives: To describe the distribution of weigh t in pregnant women and evaluate the influence of obesity on pregnancy outc ome in a high parity northern Israeli population. Methods: The study included 887 women who gave birth in the Western Galilee Medical Center during the period August to November 1995. The patients wer e classified as underweight, normal weight, overweight, or obese according to body mass index. Maternal demographic, obstetric, and perinatal variable s were compared. A control group of 167 normal weight women were matched wi th the obese group for maternal age, parity, and gestational age. Results: Obese mothers had a higher incidence of gestational diabetes and p regnancy-induced hypertension compared to normal weight mothers (5.4% vs. 1 .8%, and 7.2% vs. 0.6% respectively, P<0.01), a higher rate of labor induct ion (20.4% vs. 10.2%. P<0.01), and a higher cesarean section rate (19.6% vs . 10.8%, P<0.05). There was also a significant difference in the prevalence of macrosomia in the offspring (16.8% vs. 8.4%, P<0.05). Conclusion: Obese pregnant women are at high risk for complications during delivery and therefore need careful pre-conception and prenatal counseling, as well as perinatal management.