Pre-pregnancy maternal obesity in Greece: A case–control analysis

• Published in: Early human development Vol. 93; pp. 57 - 61
• Main Authors: Papachatzi, E, Paparrodopoulos, S, Papadopoulos, V, Dimitriou, G, Vantarakis, A
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Ireland Elsevier Ireland Ltd 01-02-2016
• Subjects: Adult; Advanced Basic Science; BMI; Case-Control Studies; Female; Fetal Macrosomia - epidemiology; Greece; Humans; Infant, Newborn; Male; Maternal obesity; Middle Aged; Neonatal and Perinatal Medicine; Obesity - epidemiology; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Complications - epidemiology; Pregnancy Outcome; Pregnancy outcomes; Premature Birth - epidemiology; Pregnancy outcomes; Maternal obesity; BMI
• ISSN: 0378-3782; 1872-6232
• DOI: 10.1016/j.earlhumdev.2015.12.006

Abstract Background—aims Pre-pregnancy obesity may cause significant health implications for both mother and neonate. Our study aims to investigate the association between pre-pregnancy Body Mass Index and the risk for cesarean section, admission to Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, macrosomia and preterm delivery, in a Mediterranean country. Study design A matched retrospective case control analysis was conducted. Subjects The study population included all pregnant women (with known Body Mass Index data) who gave birth in the University Hospital of Patras between 1st of January 2003 and 31st of December 2008. Outcome measures Cases were defined as obese (338) or overweight (826) women. Results Overweight and obese women were at higher risk for cesarean section, NICU admission and preterm delivery (χ2 (2) = 36.877, p < 0.001, χ2 Imes and Burke (2014) = 6.586, p = 0.037 and χ2 Imes and Burke (2014) = 7.227, p = 0.027 respectively). Neonatal mean birthweight was higher among obese and overweight women ( p < 0.0001). Conclusions Both obese and overweight pregnancies should be considered as high risk pregnancies, due to more frequent adverse pregnancy outcomes (cesarean delivery, preterm delivery and NICU admission).