Association between obesity during pregnancy and increased use of health care.
BACKGROUND
In the United States, obesity during pregnancy is common and increases obstetrical risks. An estimate of the increase in use of health care services associated with obesity during pregnancy is needed.


METHODS
We used electronic data systems of a large U.S. group-practice health maintenance organization to identify 13,442 pregnancies among women 18 years of age or older at the time of conception that resulted in live births or stillbirths. The study period was between January 1, 2000, and December 31, 2004. We assessed associations between measures of use of health care services and body-mass index (BMI, defined as the weight in kilograms divided by the square of the height in meters) before pregnancy or in early pregnancy. The women were categorized as underweight (BMI <18.5), normal (BMI 18.5 to 24.9), overweight (BMI 25.0 to 29.9), obese (BMI 30.0 to 34.9), very obese (BMI 35.0 to 39.9), or extremely obese (BMI > or =40.0). The primary outcome was the mean length of hospital stay for delivery.


RESULTS
After adjustment for age, race or ethnic group, level of education, and parity, the mean (+/-SE) length of hospital stay for delivery was significantly (P<0.05) greater among women who were overweight (3.7+/-0.1 days), obese (4.0+/-0.1 days), very obese (4.1+/-0.1 days), and extremely obese (4.4+/-0.1 days) than among women with normal BMI (3.6+/-0.1 days). A higher-than-normal BMI was associated with significantly more prenatal fetal tests, obstetrical ultrasonographic examinations, medications dispensed from the outpatient pharmacy, telephone calls to the department of obstetrics and gynecology, and prenatal visits with physicians. A higher-than-normal BMI was also associated with significantly fewer prenatal visits with nurse practitioners and physician assistants. Most of the increase in length of stay associated with higher BMI was related to increased rates of cesarean delivery and obesity-related high-risk conditions.


CONCLUSIONS
Obesity during pregnancy is associated with increased use of health care services.
Chu
Susan Y
SY
Division of Reproductive Health, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA 30341, USA. syc1@cdc.gov
Bachman
Donald J
DJ
Callaghan
William M
WM
Whitlock
Evelyn P
EP
Dietz
Patricia M
PM
Berg
Cynthia J
CJ
O'Keeffe-Rosetti
Maureen
M
Bruce
F Carol
FC
Hornbrook
Mark C
MC
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D015992:Body Mass Index; D005260:Female; D006296:Health Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D007902:Length of Stay / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D009765:Obesity; D050177:Overweight; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome; D011295:Prenatal Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D013851:Thinness; D014481:United States