title: Obesity in pregnancy: outcomes and economics.
abstract: Maternal obesity is an important aspect of reproductive care. It is the commonest risk factor for maternal mortality in developed countries and is also associated with a wide spectrum of adverse pregnancy outcomes. Maternal obesity may have longer-term implications for the health of the mother and infant, which in turn will have economic implications. Efforts to prevent, manage and treat obesity in pregnancy will be costly, but may pay dividends from reduced future economic costs, and subsequent improvements to maternal and infant health. Decision-makers working in this area of health services should understand whether the problem can be reduced, at what cost; and then, what cost savings and health benefits will accrue in the future from a reduction of the problem.
authors.affiliation: School of Medicine, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia.
authors.forename: Ingrid
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Rowlands
authors.forename: Nick
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Graves
authors.forename: Susan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: de Jersey
authors.forename: H David
authors.initials: HD
authors.lastname: McIntyre
authors.forename: Leonie
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Callaway
mesh_terms: D017281:Cost of Illness; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D009765:Obesity / Q000150:complications / Q000191:economics* / Q000517:prevention & control; D016742:Preconception Care / Q000191:economics; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000191:economics*; D011295:Prenatal Care / Q000191:economics*; D019057:Quality-Adjusted Life Years