First Trimester Body Mass Index and Adverse Pregnancy Outcomes

Abstract
Background: Overweight or obese women at the start of pregnancy are at increased risk of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, gestational diabetes and delivery complications such as prolonged delivery and higher rates of cesarean sections. On the other hand, maternal underweight is associated with many maternal and fetal consequences which are mainly attributed to the poor nutritional status of the affected mothers.
Aim of Study: The study's goal is to investigate how BMI affects pregnancy outcomes.
Patients and Methods: In the current study, it was found that women with morbid obesity had significantly higher frequency of preeclampsia, CS, meconium present in liq-uor,perineal tears and manual removal of placenta when compared with women other groups. In addition, underweight women had significantly higher frequency of preterm labor.
As regard BMI and neonatal outcome, the study found that neonates born to morbidly obese women had significantly higher frequency of LGA while those born to underweight women had significantly higher frequency of SGA.
Results: Weight (KG) divided by the square of height was used to determine the body mass index (BMI). BMI was used to categorize women as underweight (BMI 19.8Kg/m2) normal weight (BMI 19.9-24.9Kg/m2), overweight women (BMI 25-29.9Kg/m2), obese (BMI 30-39.9Kg/m2), and morbid obese (BMI 40Kg/m2)
Conclusions: Obese women experienced pregnancy and neonatal problems far more frequently.SGA and poor Apgar scores were substantially more common in underweight women.