Prepregnancy body mass index and adverse pregnancy outcomes.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between prepregnancy BMI, and adverse maternal and neonatal outcomes.

METHOD: In this retrospective cohort study 916 consecutive singleton gestations were included who gave birth between 1 January 2006 and 31 August 2006 at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Udine, Italy. Statistical analysis was performed using univaried logistic regression and measured by odds ratio.

RESULTS: The obese patients had a statistically, significantly increased incidence of Caesarean section (OR = 2.17, p = 0.009). Women with overweight (OR = 2.43, p = 0.002) and obese weight (OR = 4.86, p < 0.0001) were at increased risk for preterm deliveries. The pre-eclampsia and the fetal macrosomia (> or =4,000 g) were increased in obese women (OR = 5.68, p < 0.0001; OR = 2.58, p = 0.033, respectively).

CONCLUSION: Maternal prepregnancy obesity is significantly associated with increased risk of Caesarean section, preterm delivery, pre-eclampsia and macrosomia.