European Journal of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences

STUDY OF MATERNAL OBESITY CONSEQUENCES AND COMPLICATIONS ON THE FETAL GROWTH RESTRICTION

*Dr. Bushra abd Al-Hassin Hochem, Dr. Abeer Hashim Abdul-Majeed and Dr. Kawther Yahia Saeed

ABSTRACT

In the recent years, the prevalence of maternal obesity has been increasing dramatically (body mass index ≥ 30 kg/m2). Maternal obesity is correlated with an unequivocal increase in maternal and fetal complications of pregnancy and these complications also extend beyond fetal life in childhood and adulthood as well. This study aimed to evaluate maternal and neonatal complications on birth associated with maternal obesity. The current study included all women who gave birth between January 1st and December 31st, 2018 at Al-Fallujah teaching hospital for gynecology and pediatrics/Iraq. Data included information about maternal health (degree of obesity, associated complications of birth, anemia and type of birth) and neonatal status (birth weight, gestational age, associated diseases and Apgar score). A higher incidence of IUGR, as well as an increased frequency of infants who needed intensive care after birth, a higher rate of cesarean surgery and a higher frequency of thromboembolic complications were observed in patients with associated obesity. It could be concluded that complications grow both in number and severity with increasing obesity. Diagnosis of the fetuses with IUGR is important for monitoring and management of pregnancies associated with obesity and it involved a close collaboration between obstetrician, family physician and neonatologist.

Keywords: Obesity, Intrauterine growth restriction.