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Research Paper | Gynaecology | Volume 15 Issue 1, January 2026 | Pages: 1132 - 1138 | India
Study of Maternal and Fetal Outcomes in Pregnant Obese and Overweight Women in Tertiary Health Care Centre
Abstract: Background: The global prevalence of overweight and obesity among pregnant women is increasing and is associated with a higher risk of adverse maternal and fetal outcomes. Excess maternal adiposity contributes to metabolic, obstetric, and neonatal complications, underscoring the importance of evaluating pregnancy outcomes in overweight and obese women, particularly in resource-limited rural settings. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted over 18 months in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at a tertiary care rural hospital. Ethical approval was obtained from the Pravara Institute of Medical Sciences Deemed University (PIMS/DR/RMC/IEC-UG-PG/2024/83), and informed consent was secured from all participants. Pregnant women with a body mass index (BMI) ?25 kg/m? were enrolled. Clinical evaluation, relevant laboratory tests, and ultrasonographic assessments were performed, and participants were followed until delivery and postpartum discharge. Maternal and fetal outcomes were documented. Statistical analysis was carried out using SPSS version 26, with a p-value <0.05 considered statistically significant. Results: A total of 116 pregnant women with BMI ?25 kg/m? were included, with a mean age of 23.99 ? 5.06 years; 62.9% were overweight and 37.1% were obese. The incidence of antepartum complications, particularly gestational diabetes mellitus and hypertensive disorders, increased with rising BMI. Emergency cesarean section was the most common mode of delivery (62.1%), most frequently due to post-dated pregnancy with a large fetus. Although 94.0% of neonates were live born, 31.9% were large for gestational age and required NICU admission. A significant association was observed between maternal BMI and neonatal birth weight, while postpartum complications were minimal. Conclusion: Overweight and obesity during pregnancy are associated with increased maternal and neonatal complications. Early identification and vigilant antenatal and intrapartum care are essential to improve pregnancy outcomes.
Keywords: Maternal obesity, Overweight pregnancy, fetal outcome, Neonatal outcome, Gestational diabetes mellitus, Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, Cesarean section, Birth weight, NICU admission
How to Cite?: Dr. Kajal Jain, Dr. Satyajit Gavhane, Dr. Vidyadhar Bangal, "Study of Maternal and Fetal Outcomes in Pregnant Obese and Overweight Women in Tertiary Health Care Centre", Volume 15 Issue 1, January 2026, International Journal of Science and Research (IJSR), Pages: 1132-1138, https://www.ijsr.net/getabstract.php?paperid=SR26113160918, DOI: https://dx.dx.doi.org/10.21275/SR26113160918