Impact of Maternal Obesity on Pregnancy Outcomes: A Hospital-Based Study: Impact of Maternal Obesity on Pregnancy Outcomes

Talat Parveen; . Quratulain; Saba Yasmin Usmani; . Samina; Sadaf Un Nisa; Nergis Taj

doi:10.54393/pjhs.v6i10.3407

Authors

Talat Parveen Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Bahawal Victoria Hospital, Bahawalpur, Pakistan
. Quratulain Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Bahawal Victoria Hospital, Bahawalpur, Pakistan
Saba Yasmin Usmani Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Sadiq Abbasi Hospital, Quaid e Azam Medical College, Bahawalpur, Pakistan
. Samina Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Bahawal Victoria Hospital, Bahawalpur, Pakistan
Sadaf Un Nisa Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Bahawal Victoria Hospital, Bahawalpur, Pakistan
Nergis Taj Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Sadiq Abbasi Hospital, Quaid e Azam Medical College, Bahawalpur, Pakistan

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.54393/pjhs.v6i10.3407

Keywords:

Maternal Obesity, Hypertensive Disorders, Cesarean Section, Gestational Diabetes, Macrosomia, Pregnancy Outcomes

Abstract

Obesity among pregnant women has emerged as a major global health issue and is closely associated with unfavorable outcomes for both the mother and the newborn. Objectives: To assess how maternal obesity influences pregnancy-related outcomes in both mothers and their newborns at a tertiary care facility. Methods: This hospital-based descriptive cross-sectional research was carried out in the Obstetrics and Gynaecology Department of Bahawal Victoria Hospital, Bahawalpur, during the period from 23-04-2024 to 22-10-2024. A total of 153 pregnant women with obesity (BMI ≥30 kg/m²) and singleton pregnancies beyond 28 weeks of gestation were selected through non-probability consecutive sampling. Women with multiple gestations, fetal anomalies, or chronic illnesses unrelated to obesity were excluded. Data on maternal demographics, obstetric history, and outcomes were collected using a structured proforma. The evaluated outcomes comprised gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), pregnancy-induced hypertension (PIH), type of delivery, preterm labor, postpartum hemorrhage (PPH), stillbirth, macrosomia, Apgar scores, neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) admissions, and congenital abnormalities. Data analysis was performed using SPSS-26, with a p-value less than 0.05 considered statistically significant. Results: The mean maternal age was 29.99 ± 6.26 years. GDM occurred in 26.8% and PIH in 15.0% of participants. Cesarean delivery was performed in 44.4%, and macrosomia was observed in 23.5% of neonates. Significant associations were noted between parity and PIH (p=0.024), ANC visits and NICU admission (p=0.005), and chronic illness with congenital anomalies (p=0.041). Conclusions: Maternal obesity is associated with increased risks of metabolic, obstetric, and neonatal complications.

Author Biography

Sadaf Un Nisa, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Bahawal Victoria Hospital, Bahawalpur, Pakistan

References

Kalicka M, Bielak A, Gryta J, Iwan K, Janczewska M, Kolasa A et al. How Maternal Obesity Affects Pregnancy? Literature Review. Quality in Sport. 2023 Mar; 10: 11-7. doi: 10.12775/QS.2023.10.01.001. DOI: https://doi.org/10.12775/QS.2023.10.01.001

Rani S, Anjum F, Siddique AA, Khan S, Kazi K, Almas S. Maternal Obesity and Feto-Maternal Outcomes: Maternal Obesity and Feto-Maternal Outcomes. Pakistan Biomedical Journal. 2022 Jun: 186-90. doi: 10.54393/pbmj.v5i6.588. DOI: https://doi.org/10.54393/pbmj.v5i6.588

Wanaditya GK, Putra IW, Aryana MB, Mulyana RS. Obesity in Pregnant Women and Its Impact on Maternal and Neonatal Morbidity. European Journal of Medical and Health Sciences. 2023 Jun; 5(3): doi: 10.24018/ejmed.2023.5.3.1625. DOI: https://doi.org/10.24018/ejmed.2023.5.3.1625

Sukoco TK, Hidayat D, Judistiani RT. Association of Maternal Obesity and Pregnancy Outcomes. Althea Medical Journal. 2022 Jun; 9(2): 70-3. doi: 10.15850/amj.v9n2.2632. DOI: https://doi.org/10.15850/amj.v9n2.2632

Akpan UB, Akpanika C, Okpebri KO, Udeke U, Etuk SJ. The Prevalence of Maternal Obesity at First Antenatal Visit and Pregnancy Outcomes: A Prospective Cohort Study in a Southern Nigerian Region. Nigerian Journal of Medicine. 2023 Sep; 32(5): 495-500. doi: 10.4103/NJM.NJM_91_23. DOI: https://doi.org/10.4103/NJM.NJM_91_23

Franzago M, Borrelli P, Di Nicola M, Cavallo P, D’Adamo E, Di Tizio L, et al. From Mother to Child: Epigenetic Signatures of Hyperglycemia and Obesity During Pregnancy. Nutrients. 2024 Oct; 16(20): 3502. doi: 10.3390/nu16203502. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/nu16203502

Vuković B. The Relationship Between Age, Ovarian Reserve Factors and Body Mass Index with Reproductive Outcomes of Women Treated with Medically Assisted Reproduction Procedures in 2022 at the Department of Gynecological Endocrinology and Human Reproduction, Clinical Hospital Center Split (Doctoral dissertation, University of Split. School of Medicine). 2024.

Siddique SM, Baloch S, Ahuja KB, Sahito RM, Jan MM. Obesity in Pregnancy Maternal and Fetal Outcome. Pakistan Journal of Medical and Health Sciences. 2023 Oct; 17(04): 707. doi: 10.53350/pjmhs2023174707. DOI: https://doi.org/10.53350/pjmhs2023174707

Nurul-Farehah S and Rohana AJ. Maternal Obesity and Its Determinants: A Neglected Issue? Malaysian Family Physician: The Official Journal of the Academy of Family Physicians of Malaysia. 2020 Jul; 15(2): 34.

Tabacu MC, Istrate-Ofiţeru AM, Manolea MM, Dijmărescu AL, Rotaru LT, Boldeanu MV et al. Maternal Obesity and Placental Pathology in Correlation with Adverse Pregnancy Outcome. Romanian Journal of Morphology and Embryology. 2022 Aug; 63(1): 99. doi: 10.47162/RJME.63.1.09. DOI: https://doi.org/10.47162/RJME.63.1.09

Rees A, Richards O, Jones N, Thornton C. The Immunological Profile of Maternal Obesity at 28 Weeks Gestation Underpins Common Negative Pregnancy Outcomes. The Journal of Immunology. 2021 May; 206(1_Supplement): 95-11. doi: 10.4049/jimmunol.206.Supp.95.11. DOI: https://doi.org/10.4049/jimmunol.206.Supp.95.11

Purohit AM, Oyeka CP, Khan SS, Toscano M, Nayak S, Lawson SM et al. Preventing Adverse Cardiovascular Outcomes in Pregnancy Complicated by Obesity. Current Obstetrics and Gynecology Reports. 2023 Jun; 12(2): 129-37. doi: 10.1007/s13669-023-00356-9. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13669-023-00356-9

Neal K, Ullah S, Glastras SJ. Obesity Class Impacts Adverse Maternal and Neonatal Outcomes Independent of Diabetes. Frontiers in Endocrinology. 2022 Mar; 13: 832678. doi: 10.3389/fendo.2022.832678. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3389/fendo.2022.832678

Kurnaz D and Karaçam Z. The Effect of Methods Used in the Management of Maternal Obesity on Pregnancy and Birth Outcomes: A Systematic Review with Meta-Analysis. International Journal of Obesity. 2025 Mar: 1-1. doi: 10.1038/s41366-025-01748-y. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41366-025-01748-y

AlAnnaz WA, Gouda AD, Abou El-Soud FA, Alanazi MR. Obesity Prevalence and Its Impact on Maternal and Neonatal Outcomes Among Pregnant Women: A Retrospective Cross-Sectional Study Design. Nursing Reports. 2024 May; 14(2): 1236-50. doi: 10.3390/nursrep14020094. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/nursrep14020094

Alfadhli EM. Maternal Obesity Influences Birth Weight More Than Gestational Diabetes. BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth. 2021 Feb; 21(1): 111. doi: 10.1186/s12884-021-03571-5. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12884-021-03571-5

Almutairi FS, Alsaykhan AM, Almatrood AA, Almatrood A. Obesity Prevalence and Its Impact on Maternal and Neonatal Outcomes in Pregnant Women: A Systematic Review. Cureus. 2024 Dec; 16(12). doi: 10.7759/cureus.75262. DOI: https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.75262

Fakhraei R, Denize K, Simon A, Sharif A, Zhu-Pawlowsky J, Dingwall-Harvey AL et al. Predictors of Adverse Pregnancy Outcomes in Pregnant Women Living with Obesity: A Systematic Review. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 2022 Feb; 19(4): 2063. doi: 10.3390/ijerph19042063. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19042063

Dinsmoor MJ, Ugwu LG, Bailit JL, Reddy UM, Wapner RJ, Varner MW et al. Short-Term Neonatal Outcomes of Pregnancies Complicated by Maternal Obesity. American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology Maternal-Fetal Medicine. 2023 Apr; 5(4): 100874. doi: 10.1016/j.ajogmf.2023.100874. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajogmf.2023.100874

Melchor I, Burgos J, Del Campo A, Aiartzaguena A, Gutiérrez J, Melchor JC. Effect of Maternal Obesity on Pregnancy Outcomes in Women Delivering Singleton Babies: A Historical Cohort Study. Journal of Perinatal Medicine. 2019 Aug; 47(6): 625-30. doi: 10.1515/jpm-2019-0103. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1515/jpm-2019-0103

Li MF, Ke JF, Ma L, Wang JW, Zhang ZH, Li JB et al. Maternal Pre-Pregnancy Obesity Combined with Abnormal Glucose Metabolism Further Increases Adverse Pregnancy Outcomes in Chinese Pregnant Women. Frontiers in Endocrinology. 2022 Jan; 12: 754406. doi: 10.3389/fendo.2021.754406. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3389/fendo.2021.754406

Iqbal M, Muhammad Z, Iqbal S, Akhter R, Safdar S. Effect of Maternal Obesity on Pregnancy Outcomes and Metabolic Consequences. Journal of Health and Rehabilitation Research. 2024 Mar; 4(1): 1797-802. doi: 10.61919/jhrr.v4i1.719 DOI: https://doi.org/10.61919/jhrr.v4i1.719

Adeoye IA, Bamgboye EA, Omigbodun AO. Maternal Obesity, Lifestyle Factors and Associated Pregnancy Outcomes in Ibadan, Nigeria: A Nigerian Cohort Study. Scientific Reports. 2025 Apr; 15(1): 11129. doi: 10.1038/s41598-025-90079-z. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-90079-z

Gearhart R, Michieka NM, Sonchak-Ardan L, Stutzman E. The Effect of Obesity and Pregnancy Weight Gain on Maternal and Child Health. Journal of Obesity. 2024; 2024(1): 8816878. doi: 10.1155/2024/8816878. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1155/2024/8816878