The Effect of Pregestational Body Mass Index on Prenatal And Neoanatal Outcomes

INTRODUCTION: The aim of the study was to determine the effect of pregestational body mass index (BMI) on prenatal and neonatal outcomes.
METHODS: The study is a descriptive and correlational study. It was conducted on 370 postpartum women who had delivered in the medical
faculty hospital at postpartum ward in Istanbul. Data were gathered via structured interview form by the researchers. Mann-Whitney U test, t-test, Anova test and Pearson correlation analysis were run for statistical evaluation.
RESULTS: Mean age was 29.18±5.43 (min: 18- max: 44), mean weight before conception was 61.58±10.66 kg (min: 42-max: 120), mean BMI value
was 28.92±1.40 (min: 18-max: 45) mean weight gained during pregnancy was calculated as 15.68±5.09 kg (min: 1-max: 33). No statistically significant difference was found between pre gestational BMI value and age, level of education, economic
status, gravidity, gestational week, number of previous miscarriages and stillbirths, smoking or drug use, any complaints about pregnancy, prenatal counseling, receiving prenatal care, birth weight and APGAR score. Pregestational BMI values were found to be statistically significant compared to diabetes and hypertensive disorder, methods of delivery and weight gain during pregnancy. Pregestational BMI values and weight gain during pregnancy were found to be statistically different compared to age, interval between subsequent pregnancies and chronic diseases.
DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: In preconceptional care, pregestational obesity must be taken into account. Obese women should be pregnant after lose of weight. Weight gain is important to follow regularly during pregnancy. Women should be trained related to nutrition, exercise, and weight control before pregnancy and during pregnancy. According to the study, pregestational obesity and control of weight gain during pregnancy is important outcomes for prenatal and neonatal outcomes.