Body mass index and obstetric outcomes in Saudi Arabia: a prospective cohort study

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES We examined the effect of body mass index in early pregnancy on pregnancy outcome since no study in Saudi Arabia has addressed this question METHODS This prospective cohort study involved women registered for intenatal care during the first month of pregnancy at primary health care centers in Al Hassa Saudi Arabia Data was collected from records and by direct interview RESULTS The study included 787 women Compared to normal weight women (n=307) overweight (n=187) and obese (n=226) women were at increased risk for pregnancy induced hypertension (RR=4 9 [95% Cl 1 6 1111 and 6 1 [95% Cl 2 117 81 respectively) gestational diabetes (RR=4 4 195% Cl 1 2 16 3] and 8 6 [95% Cl 2 6 28 81) preeclamptic toxemia (RR=3 8 [95% CI 1 1 14 6] and 5 9 [95% CI 1 7 20 41) urinary tract intections (RR=1 4 [95% Cl 0 5 3 91 and 3 7 [95% CI,2 7 6 2]) and cesarean delivery (RR=2 0 (95% CI 1 3 3 0] in obese women) Neonates born to obese women had an increased risk for postdate pregnancy (RR=3 7 [95% Cl 1 2 11 6]) macrosomia (RR=6 8 [95% Cl ( 513,9 71) low 1 minute Apgar score (RR=1 9 195% CI 1 1 3 61) and admission to neonatal care units (RR=2 1 [9510 CI 1 2 2 7]) On the other hind low birth weight was less frequent among obese women (RR=0 5 (95% Cl 03 0 91) while the risk was high among underweight women (RR=2 3 [95% Cl I 4 3 8]) CONCLUSION Even with adequate prenatal care overweight and obesity can adversely affect pregnancy out comes