The Influence of Increased Prepregnancy Body Mass Index and Excessive Gestational Weight Gain on Pregnancy Course and Fetal and Maternal Perinatal Outcomes

Abstract

Background: The aim of our study was to assess the influence of prepregnancy Body Mass Index (BMI) changes as well as excessive gestational weight gain (GWG) on maternal and fetal perinatal parameters. Furthermore, we aimed to analyze the influence of increased prepregnancy BMI values and excessive GWG on neonatal early motoric development. Methods: The 203 eligible female participants were evaluated. Prepregnancy Body Mass Index (BMI) and excessive gestational weight gain (GWG) defined according to Institute of Medicine 2009 guidelines in the USA were assessed with tested maternal and fetal perinatal parameters and infants early motoric development (Alberta Infant Motor Scale—AIMS). Results: Significant predictors of increased prepregnancy BMI in perinatal period include: weight at delivery (p = 0.001), GWG (p = 0.002) and BMI at delivery (p < 0.001), while significant predictors of excessive GWG in perinatal period are: prepregnancy BMI (p = 0.029) and BMI at delivery (p < 0.001). In the group of participants with both increased prepregnancy BMI and excessive GWG versus others, significant predictors were: hypertension (HTA) (p = 0.019), amniotic fluid index (AFI) (p = 0.047), Pronation (AIMS) (p = 0.028) and Supination (AIMS) (p = 0.029). Conclusion: Increased prepregnancy BMI and excessive GWG are significantly associated with numerous perinatal factors that could alter the pregnancy course, pregnancy outcome and early motoric development of newborn. Moreover, increased prepregnancy BMI is shown to be a significant predictor of excessive GWG; thus, early selection of pregnant women for close monitoring of weight gain during pregnancy will have positive effects on reducing the risk of less favorable pregnancy course and early motoric development of newborn.

Gestational Weight Gain, Pregnancy Related Complications and the Short-Term Risks for the Offspring

“…Maternal obesity and excessive weight gain during pregnancy play a crucial role in pregnancy outcomes and affect maternal, fetal, and neonatal wellbeing in several ways [1,2]. An unbalanced diet during pregnancy, leading to inadequate or excessive weight gain, is associated with various adverse pregnancy outcomes.…”

Association of Pre-Pregnancy Obesity and COVID-19 with Poor Pregnancy Outcome

“…Obesity in the female population is a public health threat given the noticeable rise in the global incidence of overweight adult women, from 29.8% in 1980s to nearly 40% in 2010s [1,2]. It has become a universal healthcare challenge for the management of pregnant woman, requiring more knowledge for the prevention of gestational diabetes mellitus, gestational hypertension and pre-eclampsia, fetal macrosomia, stillbirth, and pre-term delivery [3,4]. During the COVID-19 pandemic, a possible overlap of obesity and COVID-19 infection has raised concerns among patients and healthcare professionals about protecting pregnant women from developing a severe form of infection and poor pregnancy outcomes.…”

Effects of Antenatal Lifestyle Interventions in Pregnant Women with Normal Body Mass Index

“…Approximately 50% of women enter pregnancy with body mass index (BMI) within the normal range ( 3 , 4 ). Nevertheless, women who commence pregnancy with a normal BMI are at the greatest risk of excessive GWG ( 5 ), closely linked to pregnancy complications such as hypertension disorders, diabetes, cesarean delivery, postpartum weight retention and obesity in later life, adverse outcomes to the offspring such as being born large for gestational age, macrosomia, infant morbidity and mortality, neonatal early motoric development, even childhood obesity from both near and far perspectives ( 5 – 7 ). This demonstrates the need for effective preventive measures to reduce the proportion of women with normal pre-pregnancy BMI who present with excessive GWG.…”