title: Body mass index and obstetric outcomes in pregnant in Saudi Arabia: a prospective cohort study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We examined the effect of body mass index in early pregnancy on pregnancy outcome since no study in Saudi Arabia has addressed this question.
  
  
  METHODS
  This prospective cohort study involved women registered for antenatal care during the first month of pregnancy at primary health care centers in Al-Hassa, Saudi Arabia. Data was collected from records and by direct interview.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The study included 787 women. Compared to normal weight women (n=307), overweight (n=187) and obese (n=226) women were at increased risk for pregnancy-induced hypertension (RR=4.9 [95% CI 1.6-11.1] and 6.1 [95% CI 2.1-17.8], respectively), gestational diabetes (RR=4.4 [95% CI 1.2-16.3] and 8.6 [95% CI 2.6-28.8]), preeclamptic toxemia (RR=3.8 [95% CI 1.1-14.6] and 5.9 [95% CI 1.7-20.4]), urinary tract infections (RR=1.4 [95% CI 0.5-3.9] and 3.7 [95% CI 1.7-6.2]), and cesarean delivery (RR=2.0 [95% CI 1.3-3.0] in obese women). Neonates born to obese women had an increased risk for postdate pregnancy (RR=3.7 [95% CI 1.2-11.6]), macrosomia (RR=6.8 [95% CI 1.5-30.7]), low 1-minute Apgar score (RR=1.9 [95% CI 1.1-3.6]), and admission to neonatal care units (RR=2.1 [95% CI 1.2-2.7]). On the other hand, low birth weight was less frequent among obese women (RR=0.5 [95% CI 0.3-0.9]) while the risk was high among underweight women (RR=2.3 [95% CI 1.4-3.8]).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Even with adequate prenatal care, overweight and obesity can adversely affect pregnancy outcomes.
authors.affiliation: College of Medicine, King Faisal University, Al-Hassa, Saudi Arabia.
authors.forename: Abdel-Hady
authors.initials: AH
authors.lastname: El-Gilany
authors.forename: Sabry
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hammad
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001034:Apgar Score; D015992:Body Mass Index; D001835:Body Weight; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007232:Infant, Newborn, Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology; D009765:Obesity; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome / Q000453:epidemiology*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012529:Saudi Arabia / Q000453:epidemiology; D055815:Young Adult