title: Obesity and stillbirth.
abstract: Recent years have witnessed a rise in maternal obesity, which is independently associated with an increased risk of stillbirth. The pathophysiology is unclear, but it is likely related to abnormal placental function, and inflammatory, metabolic and hormonal imbalances in the mother. Obesity is associated with conditions such as diabetes, which can also cause stillbirth. In order to reduce the risk of obesity-associated stillbirth, women of reproductive age should be actively encouraged to optimise their pre-pregnancy weight as the safety of weight loss interventions during pregnancy is unproven. Obese and extremely obese women should be treated as high-risk obstetric patients, with increased antenatal surveillance and specialist input. The postnatal period may be a useful time to provide weight management advice to women to prevent interpregnancy weight gain and reduce the risk of stillbirth in subsequent pregnancies.
authors.affiliation: Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Division of Applied Health Sciences, School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen Maternity Hospital, Cornhill Road, Aberdeen AB25 2ZL, UK. Electronic address: a.woolner@abdn.ac.uk.
authors.forename: Andrea M F
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Woolner
authors.affiliation: Head of Division of Applied Health Sciences, School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Aberdeen, Polwarth Building, Foresterhill, Aberdeen AB25 2ZD, UK. Electronic address: s.bhattacharya@abdn.ac.uk.
authors.forename: Siladitya
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bhattacharya
mesh_terms: D015992:Body Mass Index; D005260:Female; D005313:Fetal Death; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D009765:Obesity / Q000453:epidemiology*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000453:epidemiology*; D050497:Stillbirth / Q000453:epidemiology*
keywords: intrauterine death; late foetal death; obesity; overweight; stillbirth