Obstetric outcomes associated with increase in BMI category during pregnancy.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to investigate effect of increase in body mass index (BMI) category on obstetric outcomes.


METHODS
A cohort study was conducted from 1999 to 2002. Women with singleton pregnancies were placed in standard BMI categories. Increase in BMI was calculated as difference between initial BMI and delivery BMI. ANOVA was used to compare continuous variables, and chi-square test for categorical variables.


RESULTS
This study included 5131 women: 49.8% had no change in BMI category, 43.9% increased by 1 BMI category, and 6.3% by >1 category. Increase in BMI category was associated with higher rates of gestational diabetes (P = .005), failed induction (P < .001), lacerations (P < .001), cesarean deliveries (P < .001), and postpartum infection (P = .007) in normal weight women. Overweight women also had increased rates of preeclampsia (P = .002) and operative vaginal deliveries (P < .001). Obese women had higher rates of chorioamnionitis (P = .003), failed induction (P < .001), and cesarean deliveries (P = .016).


CONCLUSIONS
Increase in BMI category is associated with increased risk of complications.
Kabiru
Wanjiku
W
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Emory University School of Medicine at Grady Health Systems, Atlanta, Ga, USA. wnkabiru@yahoo.com
Raynor
B Denise
BD
D000328:Adult; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002585:Cesarean Section / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D002821:Chorioamnionitis / Q000453:epidemiology; D016640:Diabetes, Gestational / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D005317:Fetal Growth Retardation / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D007239:Infections / Q000453:epidemiology; D007751:Labor, Induced; D022125:Lacerations / Q000453:epidemiology; D011225:Pre-Eclampsia / Q000453:epidemiology; D011247:Pregnancy; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome; D011644:Puerperal Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology; D017211:Treatment Failure; D015430:Weight Gain