Frequency of obesity and in pregnancy and fetal outcome in normal weight, over weight and obese pregnant females

ABSTRACT Background: Obesity is now a major public health PROBLEM especially among women of reproductive age. This happening has a major impact on pregnancy outcomes, according to latest reports. Especially, during pregnancy and childbirth, obese women are more at risk of fetomaternal complications than women with a normal body mass index (BMI). Objective: To determine the frequency of normal weight, over weight and obese women presenting for antenatal care and to compare the outcome in normal weight, over weight and obese pregnant females. Patients and Methods Descriptive Case series study conducted from 29th October 2022 to 29 April 2022 .200 subjects meeting the inclusion criteria were enrolled in the study after informed consent. BMI was recorded and weight category assigned. All these women were followed-up till 37 weeks of gestation and till delivery. The indications for Caesarian section in any pregnancy were post-dates pregnancy (gestational age at more than 41 weeks), reduced fetal movements, fetal growth restriction, and term pre-labour rupture of membranes more than 24 hours. Main outcome variable: Fetal outcome was accessed using C-section, macrosomia and admission of neonate to NICU. Results: Frequency of weight of the patients was classified as 34%(n=68) were normal, 40.5%(n=81) were over-weight and 25.5%(n=51) were obese, comparison of outcome in normal weight, over weight and obese pregnant females shows that of 8 cases of macrosomia, 1 in normal and overweight while 6 cases in obese, of 61 cases of C-section 13 in normal, 15 in overweight and 33 were obese, NICU admission cases were 27, out of which 7 in normal, 6 in overweight and 14 were in obese group, p value 0.80.Conclusion: We concluded that on comparison for the outcome in normal weight, over weight and obese pregnant females, obese and overweight females are higher at the risk of macrosocia, cesarean birth and NICU admission of the neonate.