Background: Maternal obesity is increasingly common and is associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes. Asian Indian BMI criteria classify obesity at a lower cut-off (BMI ?25 kg/m²), which may better reflect metabolic risk in this population.
Objective: To compare maternal, obstetric, postpartum, and neonatal outcomes between obese pregnant women (BMI ?25 kg/m²) and non-obese pregnant women (BMI 18.5-24.9 kg/m²) using Asian Indian BMI criteria.
Material and Methods: A prospective comparative observational study was conducted at Apollo Hospitals International Ltd., Gandhinagar, Gujarat, India over an 18-month period. A total of 100 antenatal women were enrolled and grouped as obese (n=50) and non-obese (n=50). Maternal outcomes assessed included pregnancy-induced hypertension (PIH), gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), PROM, preterm labour, postpartum haemorrhage, induction of labour, and mode of delivery (LSCS). Postpartum wound status was evaluated. Neonatal outcomes included gestational age at birth, birth weight, APGAR scores at 1 and 5 minutes, and NICU admission. Categorical variables were compared using Chi-square/Fisher’s exact test and continuous variables using independent t-test, with p<0.05 considered significant.
Results: Obese women had significantly higher rates of PIH (8% vs 2%; p<0.001) and GDM (10% vs 2%; p=0.002). PROM (4% vs 2%; p=0.841), preterm labour (32% vs 22%; p=0.129), induction of labour (22% vs 20%; p=0.505), and LSCS (68% vs 52%; p=0.166) were higher in obese women but not statistically significant. Booking SBP and DBP after 20 weeks were significantly higher in obese women. Postpartum stitch line was healthy in most participants (92% obese vs 98% non-obese). Neonatal outcomes were comparable for gestational age, birth weight, and APGAR; NICU admission was higher in the obese group (18% vs 4%) but not statistically significant (p=0.238).
Conclusion: Using Asian Indian BMI criteria, maternal obesity was strongly associated with increased risk of PIH and GDM, while most neonatal outcomes remained comparable. Early risk identification and intensified antenatal surveillance for hypertensive disorders and dysglycaemia are recommended for obese gravidas.
International Journal of Clinical Obstetrics and Gynaecology
Indexed in Index Copernicus
Research Journals