Association between maternal pre‐pregnancy body mass index and maternal and neonatal outcomes in Saudi Arabia: A retrospective cohort study
Randa Elsayed, Eman Al Ali, Rawabi AlAbdulgader, Shouq ALshuwayfie, Hasna Almutawa, Zahra Alhawaj, Bayan Albesher, Fatimah AlmuaybidAbstract
Objective
The body mass index (BMI, calculated as weight in kilograms divided by the square of height in meters) of the mother before pregnancy and the growth of weight during pregnancy are both important perinatal health determinants. The aim of the present study was to examine the association between the maternal BMI and obstetric and neonatal outcomes in Saudi Arabia.
Methods
A retrospective cohort study was conducted among 1500 women who gave birth at King Abdulaziz Hospital, Al‐Ahsa, in 2022. A total of 343 pregnant women aged 18–45 years met the inclusion criteria and were included in the present study. The BMI was determined using the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines. The BMI was categorized into four groups, including underweight (less than 18.5), normal weight (18.5–24.9), overweight (25.0–29.9), and obese (≥ 30). The relationship that existed between pre‐pregnancy BMI and neonatal outcome was evaluated.
Results
The pre‐pregnancy mean pre‐pregnancy BMI was 27.17 ± 6.05. A total of 58% of the studied women were overweight or obese. The findings show significant correlations of pre‐pregnancy BMI and age, parity, hypothyroidism, and mode of delivery. The highest proportion of preterm births (25.8%) was found among obese mothers, whereas the highest proportion of normal‐weight infants (92%) was found among mothers with normal‐pre‐pregnancy BMI.
Conclusion
Maternal pre‐pregnancy BMI was significantly associated with adverse neonatal outcomes, particularly at both extremes of BMI. These findings highlight the importance of achieving a healthy pre‐pregnancy weight to optimize maternal and neonatal health outcomes.