Optimizing the outcome of pregnancy in obese women: from pregestational to long-term management.
The obesity epidemic is of some concern in women of reproductive age. Maternal obesity is associated with many pregnancy complications, especially gestational diabetes and hypertensive disorders of pregnancy. Delivery in obese women is characterized by a high caesarean-section rate and an increased risk of anaesthetic and postoperative complications. Weight retention after birth may increase the risk of type 2 diabetes in the long term. Foetal risks include macrosomia, malformations and increased perinatal mortality, with the long-term infant health marked by a higher risk of obesity and metabolic disorders. Optimal management includes preconception counselling, pregravid weight-loss programmes, monitoring of gestational weight gain, repeated screening for pregnancy complications and long-term follow-up to minimize the social and economic consequences of pregnancy in overweight women.
Galtier
F
F
Inserm CIC 0001, clinical investigation centre, St. Eloi hospital, Montpellier university hospital, 80, avenue Augustin-Fliche, 34295 Montpellier cedex 05, France. f-galtier@chu-montpellier.fr
Raingeard
I
I
Renard
E
E
Boulot
P
P
Bringer
J
J
D002869:Chromosome Aberrations / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D005320:Fetal Macrosomia / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D009765:Obesity / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology*; D011247:Pregnancy / Q000502:physiology*; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000503:physiopathology*; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome; D012307:Risk Factors