Body mass index and blood pressure measurement during pregnancy.
OBJECTIVE
The accurate measurement of blood pressure requires the use of a large cuff in subjects with a high mid-arm circumference (MAC). This prospective study examined the need for a large cuff during pregnancy and its correlation with maternal obesity.


METHODS
Maternal body mass index (BMI), fat mass, and MAC were measured.


RESULTS
Of 179 women studied, 15.6% were obese. With a BMI of level 1 obesity, 44% needed a large cuff and with a BMI of level 2 obesity 100% needed a large cuff.


CONCLUSIONS
All women booking for antenatal care should have their MAC measured to avoid the overdiagnosis of pregnancy hypertension.
Hogan
Jennifer L
JL
Coombe Women and Infants University Hospital, Dublin, Ireland. Jennifer.Hogan@ucdconnect.ie
Maguire
Patrick
P
Farah
Nadine
N
Kennelly
Mairead M
MM
Stuart
Bernard
B
Turner
Michael J
MJ
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001794:Blood Pressure; D001795:Blood Pressure Determination / Q000295:instrumentation*; D015992:Body Mass Index; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D046110:Hypertension, Pregnancy-Induced / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology; D009765:Obesity; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011247:Pregnancy; D011264:Pregnancy Trimesters; D011296:Prenatal Diagnosis; D011446:Prospective Studies