The prevalence and impact of overweight and obesity in an Australian obstetric population

Genetically predicted circulating concentrations of micronutrients and risk of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy: a Mendelian randomization study

PURPOSE

Epidemiological studies examining the association between circulating micronutrients and the risk of hypertensive disorders during pregnancy (HDP) have produced inconsistent results. Therefore, we conducted a Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis to evaluate the potential causal relationship between micronutrients and HDP.

METHODS

Nine micronutrients (beta-carotene, vitamin B6, vitamin B12, calcium, zinc, selenium, copper, folate, and phosphorus) were selected as the exposure factors. Summary data for gestational hypertension (14,727 cases and 196,143 controls) and preeclampsia/eclampsia (7212 cases and 174,266 controls) were extracted from the FinnGen consortium. The MR analysis employed the inverse variance weighted method and conducted a range of sensitivity analyses.

RESULTS

The inverse variance weighted method indicated no significant causal relationship between nine genetically predicted micronutrient concentrations and gestational hypertension, as well as preeclampsia/eclampsia. Sensitivity analyses suggested the absence of pleiotropy.

CONCLUSION

There is no strong evidence to support the causation between circulating micronutrients and hypertensive disorder during pregnancy.

Maternal metabolic conditions as predictors of breastfeeding outcomes: Insights from an Australian cohort study

INTRODUCTION

Breastfeeding represents an important opportunity to optimize health outcomes for both mother and infant, particularly in the context of maternal metabolic conditions such as diabetes and polycystic ovary syndrome. However, evidence suggests that women affected by these conditions breastfeed at reduced rates and durations. Our aim was to use the large, prospective, community-based Australian Longitudinal Study on Women's Health (ALSWH) to conduct an in-depth exploratory analysis of breastfeeding outcomes in Australian women affected by key maternal metabolic conditions.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Data from 12 920 pregnancies to 5605 women from the 1973-1978 birth cohort of the ALSWH were examined. Univariable and multivariable regression using generalized estimating equation models were applied to assess breastfeeding initiation and duration (outcome measures) in relation to key self-reported maternal metabolic diagnoses (pre-gestational type 1 and type 2 diabetes, gestational diabetes, and polycystic ovary syndrome; main explanatory variables). Key sociodemographic and clinical covariates were also considered.

RESULTS

Results showed no significant association between specific maternal metabolic diagnoses (pre-gestational or gestational diabetes, or polycystic ovary syndrome) and breastfeeding outcomes. However, maternal body mass index emerged as a key predictor of suboptimal breastfeeding outcomes. Pregnancies affected by maternal obesity were associated with a 2.1-fold increase in the odds of not initiating breastfeeding, after adjusting for other key variables (95% CI 1.67 to 2.60, p < 0.01). Maternal overweight and obesity were, respectively, associated with an adjusted 1.4-fold (95% CI 1.20 to 1.55, p < 0.01) and 1.8-fold increase (95% CI 1.60 to 2.10, p < 0.01) in the odds of a breastfeeding duration less than 6 months.

CONCLUSIONS

Maternal obesity, rather than any specific maternal metabolic condition, appears to be a key predictor of breastfeeding outcomes in Australian women.

The association between maternal obesity and fetomaternal outcomes in twin pregnancies

The prevalence of overweight and obese people worldwide has dramatically increased in the last decades and is yet to peak. At the same time and partly due to obesity and associated assisted reproduction, twinning rates showed a clear rise in the last years. Adverse fetomaternal outcomes are known to occur in singleton and twin pregnancies in overweight and obese women. However, the impact of the obesity levels as defined by the World Health Organization on the outcomes of twin pregnancies has not been thoroughly studied. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to examine how maternal overweight, and the level of obesity affect fetomaternal outcomes in twin pregnancies, hypothesizing a higher likelihood for adverse outcomes with overweight and each obesity level. This is a retrospective cohort study with 2,349 twin pregnancies that delivered at the Buergerhospital Frankfurt, Germany between 2005 and 2020. The mothers were divided into exposure groups depending on their pre-gestational body mass index; these were normal weight (reference group), overweight and obesity levels I, II, and III. A multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to assess the influence of overweight and obesity on gestational diabetes mellitus, preeclampsia, postpartum hemorrhage, intrauterine fetal death, and a five-minutes Apgar score below seven. The adjusted odds ratio for gestational diabetes compared to normal weight mothers were 1.47, 2.79, 4.05, and 6.40 for overweight and obesity levels I, II and III respectively (p = 0.015 for overweight and p < 0.001 for each obesity level). Maternal BMI had a significant association with the risk of preeclampsia (OR 1.04, p = 0.028). Overweight and obesity did not affect the odds of postpartum hemorrhage, fetal demise, or a low Apgar score. While maternal overweight and obesity did not influence the fetal outcomes in twin pregnancies, they significantly increased the risk of gestational diabetes and preeclampsia, and that risk is incremental with increasing level of obesity.

Physical Activity during Pregnancy and Childhood Obesity: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Background and Objectives: The repercussions of childhood overweight and obesity are multifaceted, extending beyond the realm of physiology and giving rise to psychological and emotional disturbances in affected children. The precise effects of gestational physical activity (PA) on parameters related to childhood overweight and obesity remain inadequately understood. The aim of this study (Registration CRD42022372490) was to evaluate the literature regarding the influence of PA during pregnancy on the risk of childhood overweight and obesity. Materials and Methods: Only randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were considered for inclusion. Determinant parameters of childhood obesity were analyzed. A total of 30 studies involving 16,137 pregnant women were examined. Five meta-analyses about the effects of PA during pregnancy on determinants of childhood overweight and obesity were conducted. Results: Although favorable trends were observed, Meta-Analyses showed no statistical differences in the effects of PA on weight at birth (Z = 0.03, p = 0.97), Ponderal Index at birth (Z = 0.64, p = 0.52), Macrosomia and Large for Gestational Age at birth (Z = 0.93, p = 0.35), children's BMI (Z = 0.78, p = 0.44), weight (Z = 0.50, p = 0.62), and skinfold thicknesses (Z = 0.45, p = 0.65). Conclusions: The engagement in physical activity during pregnancy exhibits a favorable trend in parameters associated with childhood overweight and obesity while presenting no adverse effects on such outcomes.

Association of maternal pre-pregnancy or first trimester body mass index with neurodevelopmental impairment or death in extremely low gestational age neonates

OBJECTIVE

To compare the rates of death or survival with severe neurodevelopmental impairment (sNDI) at 2 years among extremely preterm infants in relation to pre-pregnancy or first-trimester maternal body mass index (BMI).

METHODS

This retrospective cohort study included extremely preterm infants (gestational age 220/7-266/7 weeks). The study was conducted at National Institute of Child Health and Human Development Neonatal Research Network sites. The primary outcome was death or sNDI at 2 years.

RESULTS

Data on the primary outcome were available for 1208 children. Death or sNDI was not different among the three groups: 54.9% in normal, 56.1% in overweight, and 53.4% in obese group (p = 0.39). There was no significant difference in mortality, sNDI, moderate/severe cerebral palsy, Bayley Scales of Infant Development (BSID)-III cognitive composite score <70, BSID-III language composite score <70 in adjusted models.

CONCLUSION

Neurodevelopmental outcome was not significantly associated with maternal pre-pregnancy BMI among extreme preterm infants.

Postpartum length of hospital stay among obstetric patients in Ibadan, Nigeria

BACKGROUND

Postpartum Length of hospital stay (PLOHS) is an essential indicator of the quality of maternal and perinatal healthcare services. Identifying the factors associated with PLOHS will inform targeted interventions to reduce unnecessary hospitalisations and improve patient outcomes after childbirth. Therefore, we assessed the length of hospital stay after birth and the associated factors in Ibadan, Nigeria.

METHODS

We used the Ibadan Pregnancy Cohort Study (IbPCS) data, and examined the 1057 women who had information on PLOHS the mode of delivery [spontaneous vagina delivery (SVD) or caesarean section (C/S)]. The outcome variable was PLOHS, which was described as the time interval between the delivery of the infant and discharge from the health facility. PLOHS was prolonged if > 24 h for SVD and > 96 h for C/S, but normal if otherwise. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, a chi-square test, and modified Poisson regression. The prevalence-risk ratio (PR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) are presented at the 5% significance level.

RESULTS

The mean maternal age was (30.0 ± 5.2) years. Overall, the mean PLOHS for the study population was 2.6 (95% CI: 2.4-2.7) days. The average PLOHS for women who had vaginal deliveries was 1.7 (95%CI: 1.5-1.9) days, whereas those who had caesarean deliveries had an average LOHS of 4.4 (95%CI: 4.1-4.6) days. About a third had prolonged PLOHS: SVD 229 (32.1%) and C/S 108 (31.5%). Factors associated with prolonged PLOHS with SVD, were high income (aPR = 1.77; CI: 1.13, 2.79), frequent ANC visits (> 4) (aPR = 2.26; CI: 1.32, 3.87), and antenatal admission: (aPR = 1.88; CI: 1.15, 3.07). For C/S: maternal age > 35 years (aPR = 1.59; CI: 1.02, 2.47) and hypertensive disease in pregnancy (aPR = 0.61 ; CI: 0.38, 0.99) were associated with prolonged PLOHS.

CONCLUSION

The prolonged postpartum length of hospital stay was common among our study participants occurring in about a third of the women irrespective of the mode of delivery. Maternal income, advanced maternal age, ANC related issues were predisposing factors for prolonged LOHS. Further research is required to examine providers' perspectives on PLOHS among obstetric patients in our setting.

Fetal Growth and Adiposity of Infants Born Large for Gestational Age in Three Harmonized Randomized Trials

OBJECTIVE

 Infants born large for gestational age (LGA) are at an increased risk of short- and longer-term adverse outcomes. Understanding fetal growth and adiposity and their trajectories may help inform interventions to prevent birth of LGA infants. We aimed to compare fetal growth and adiposity measures of infants born LGA with those born not LGA, to determine whether the discrepancy at birth was primarily due to larger size throughout gestation, or instead to different trajectories of fetal growth.

STUDY DESIGN

 This was a secondary analysis of secondary outcomes of fetal growth and adiposity from three harmonized randomized trials-the LIMIT, GRoW, and Optimise randomized trials. These trials recruited women in early pregnancy, and a singleton gestation, from three major public metropolitan Adelaide maternity hospitals. Maternal body mass index (BMI) ranged from 18.5 to ≥40.0 kg/m2. Data were obtained from enrolled women who underwent research ultrasounds at 28 and 36 weeks' gestation. Outcome measures were ultrasound measures of fetal biometry and adiposity.

RESULTS

 Infants born LGA had larger fetal biometry measures, and higher growth trajectories, from 20 weeks' gestation. Fetal adiposity measures were consistently larger among infants born LGA and these differences increased over time. We did not find evidence that the differences in biometry and adiposity measurements varied according to maternal BMI.

CONCLUSION

 Infants born LGA had larger fetal biometry measures at all time points from 20 weeks' gestation, compared with infants born not LGA suggesting any interventions to prevent LGA likely need to commence earlier in pregnancy or prior to conception.

KEY POINTS

· Infants born LGA had larger fetal biometry measures from 20 weeks' gestation.. · Infants born LGA had larger fetal adiposity measures.. · Interventions to prevent LGA need to start earlier in pregnancy or prior to conception..

Fetal and maternal Doppler adaptation to maternal exercise during pregnancy: a randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND

Regular and supervised exercise during pregnancy is worldwide recommended due to its proven benefits, but, during exercise, maternal blood flow is redirected from the viscera to the muscles and how fetal wellbeing may be affected by this redistribution is still not well known.

OBJECTIVE

To analyze the longitudinal effect of a supervised moderate physical exercise program during pregnancy on uteroplacental and fetal Doppler parameters.

METHODS

This is a planned secondary analysis of an randomized controlled trial (RCT), performed at Hospital Universitario de Torrejón, Madrid, Spain, including 124 women randomized from 12⁺⁰ to 15⁺⁶ weeks of gestation to exercise vs. control group. Fetal umbilical artery (UA), middle cerebral artery, and uterine artery pulsatility index (PI), were longitudinally collected by Doppler ultrasound assessment throughout gestation, and derived cerebroplacental ratio (normalized by z-score), and maternal mean PI in the uterine arteries (normalized by multiplies of the median). Obstetric appointments were scheduled at 12 (baseline, 12⁺⁰ to 13⁺⁵), 20 (19⁺⁰ to 24⁺²), 28 (26⁺³ to 31⁺³) and 35 weeks (32⁺⁶ to 38⁺⁶) of gestation. Generalized estimating equations were adjusted to assess longitudinal changes in the Doppler measurements according to the randomization group.

RESULTS

No significant differences in the fetal or maternal Doppler measurements were found at any of the different checkup time points studied. The only variable that consistently affected the Doppler standardized values was gestational age at the time of assessment. The evolution of the UA PI z-score during the pregnancy was different in the two study groups, with a higher z-score in the exercise group at 20 weeks and a subsequent decrease until delivery while in the control group it remained stable at around zero.

CONCLUSIONS

A regular supervised moderate exercise program during pregnancy does not deteriorate fetal or maternal ultrasound Doppler parameters along the pregnancy, suggesting that the fetal well-being is not compromised by the exercise intervention. Fetal UA PI z-score decreases during pregnancy to lower levels in the exercise group compared with the control group.

Defining poor growth and stillbirth risk in pregnancy for infants of mothers with overweight and obesity

BACKGROUND

Mothers who are obese carry heavier fetuses and have lower rates of small for gestational age (<10th birthweight centile) infants. However, their infants may be growth-restricted (with an increased risk of stillbirth) at a higher birthweight centile compared with infants from healthy-weight women.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to quantify the birthweight centile at which the risk of stillbirth in infants born to obese women equaled that of <10th-centile infants born to healthy-weight women, and clarify the relationship between maternal body mass index, infant size, and stillbirth.

STUDY DESIGN

We conducted a retrospective cohort study on all infants born in Victoria, Australia, from 2009 to 2019 (754,946 cases for analysis). We applied uncustomized birthweight centiles to all infants, and stratified the maternal cohort by body mass index (<20 kg/m2, 20-25 kg/m2, 25-30 kg/m2, 30-35 kg/m2, 35-40 kg/m2, ≥40 kg/m2). For each body mass index category, we assessed proportions of infants born <10th centile and <3rd centile, stillbirth rates among infants of all sizes, and small for gestational age infants. We calculated the stillbirth rate (per 1000) and relative risk (risk of stillbirth if born <10th centile vs >10th centile) for healthy-weight women (body mass index, 20-25 kg/m2). We then determined the birthweight centile for infants born to mothers within other body mass index categories that equaled that rate or risk.

RESULTS

Stillbirth rates increased with increasing maternal body mass index. Infants classified as small for gestational age (<10th centile) from mothers with high body mass index had a higher risk of stillbirth (relative risk, 3.15; 95% confidence interval, 2.22-4.47; for mothers with body mass index ≥40 kg/m2 vs healthy-weight mothers [body mass index, 20-25 kg/m2]). The stillbirth rate (stillborn infants per 1000 births) among <10th-centile infants born to healthy-weight mothers was 7.5 per 1000. The same stillbirth rate was observed at higher birthweight centiles for infants of women with higher body mass index (<18th centile for those with a body mass index of 25-30 kg/m2, <25th centile for body mass index of 30-35 kg/m2, <31st centile for body mass index of 35-40 kg/m2, <41st centile for body mass index of ≥40 kg/m2). The relative risk of stillbirth among small for gestational age infants of healthy-weight mothers was 5.46 (95% confidence interval, 4.65-6.40). The birthweight centile with a comparable relative risk of stillbirth increased with increasing body mass index (<16th centile for women with body mass index of 25-30 kg/m2, <19th centile for body mass index of 30-35 kg/m2, <28th centile for body mass index of 35-40 kg/m2, <30th centile for body mass index ≥40 kg/m2).

CONCLUSION

Obesity affects the relationship between infant size and perinatal mortality. The stillbirth risk observed in <10th-centile infants from healthy-weight mothers occurs at higher birthweight centiles with overweight or obese mothers. Clinicians should be aware that the same infant risk exists at a higher birthweight centile for women with higher body mass index.

Association of maternal physical and mental health characteristics with the hazard of having any medical condition or disability in Australian children: A 15-year birth cohort study

Any long-term medical condition or disability among children is a significant health issue. This study measured the incidence rate of any medical condition or disability among children from a nationally representative birth cohort, then used the random effect parametric survival regression model to assess whether the hazard of any medical condition or disability in children is associated with maternal physical and mental health characteristics (obesity, general health status, having a medical condition, stressful life events or mental illness). The study followed up 5019 children from the Longitudinal Study of Australian Children, assessing their time-to-event data from birth (2004) to 14 or 15 years of age (2018). The hazard rate of any medical condition or disability was 26.11 per 1000 person-years for all the children and 29.29 for the males-a noticeable gender difference. It was the highest (hazard rate: 62.90) among the children when their mothers had a medical condition, while the hazard rate was 22.40 per 1000 person-years among the children whose mothers had no medical conditions. The parametric panel regression results also suggested that the children of mothers with a medical condition during the 15-year study period were more likely to have a medical condition or disability (hazard ratio [HR]: 2.61, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.24-3.02) compared to the children of mothers with none. Similar trends were observed among children of mothers who had fair or poor general health (HR: 1.48, 95% CI: 1.15-1.91), obesity (HR: 1.40, 95% CI: 1.18-1.66) or experienced stressful life events (HR: 1.23, 95% CI: 1.06-1.43) over time compared to those whose mothers did not. These findings suggest that additional healthcare interventions targeting mothers with medical conditions, obesity, poor general health, or mental illness would help minimise the risk of medical conditions and disabilities among children.

Informing a healthy eating and physical activity program to decrease postnatal weight retention: What are women experiencing and what type of program do they want?

ISSUE ADDRESSED

Retention of weight gained during pregnancy contributes to overweight and obesity and consequent chronic disease risk. Early programs have been successful in improving diet quality, physical activity levels and reducing postnatal weight retention. However, barriers to program engagement remain. This study aimed to investigate women's healthy eating, physical activity and weight experiences and explore their views regarding digital health interventions to assist meeting their lifestyle goals.

METHODS

This qualitative descriptive study utilised semi-structured interviews with women who had recently become mothers who had gestational diabetes or a body mass index above 25 kg/m² . Themes were then identified through thematic analysis of interview transcripts.

RESULTS

Nine women were interviewed (average age 33.4 ± 4.2 years). The two distinct areas of questioning resulted in two overarching topics: (i) Enablers and barriers to maintaining regular physical activity and a healthy dietary pattern; and (ii) characteristics of a postpartum program to enable meeting of diet, physical activity and weight loss goals. These topics each had their own descriptive themes and sub-themes.

CONCLUSIONS

Understanding women's needs and viewpoints for a postnatal diet, physical activity and weight program allows researchers to design a program to maximise engagement and outcomes. SO WHAT?: Any further postnatal program must leverage off existing infrastructure, integrate learnings from published formative work and harnesses the impact of digital delivery. This will improve program accessibility and provide ongoing contact for sustained behaviour change through text messaging and providing digital resources in a dynamic format women can engage with in their own time.

Evaluation of the Pragmatic Implementation of a Digital Health Intervention Promoting Healthy Nutrition, Physical Activity, and Gestational Weight Gain for Women Entering Pregnancy at a High Body Mass Index

txt4two is a multi-modality intervention promoting healthy pregnancy nutrition, physical activity (PA), and gestational weight gain (GWG), which had been previously evaluated in a pilot randomized controlled trial (RCT). This study aimed to evaluate a pragmatic implementation of an adapted version of txt4two in a public tertiary hospital. Using a consecutive cohort design, txt4two was delivered to women with a pre-pregnancy BMI > 25 kg/m², between 10 + 0 to 17 + 6 weeks. Control and intervention cohorts (n = 150) were planned, with surveys and weight measures at baseline and 36 weeks. The txt4two cohort received a dietetic goal-setting appointment and program (SMS, website, and videos). The navigation of disparate hospital systems and the COVID-19 pandemic saw adaptation and adoption take two years. The intervention cohort (n = 35; 43% full data) demonstrated significant differences (mean (SD)), compared to the control cohort (n = 97; 45% full data) in vegetable intake (+0.9 (1.2) versus +0.1 (0.7), p = 0.03), fiber-diet quality index (+0.6 (0.8) versus 0.1 (0.5), p = 0.012), and total diet quality index (+0.7 (1.1) versus +0.2 (±0.6), p = 0.008), but not for PA or GWG. Most (85.7%) intervention participants found txt4two extremely or moderately useful, and 92.9% would recommend it. Embedding the program in a non-RCT context raised implementation challenges. Understanding the facilitators and barriers to adaptation and adoption will strengthen the evidence for the refinement of implementation plans.

Obesity in Pregnancy: A Comprehensive Review of Influential Guidelines

Importance

Obesity is one of the most common clinical entities complicating pregnancies and is associated with short- and long-term consequences for both the mother and the offspring.

Objective

The aim of this study were to review and compare the most recently published influential guidelines on the management of maternal obesity in the preconceptional, antenatal, intrapartum, and postpartum period.

Evidence Acquisition

A descriptive review of guidelines from the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, the International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics, the Society of Obstetricians and Gynecologists of Canada, the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, and the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists on obesity in pregnancy was carried out.

Results

There is an overall agreement among the reviewed guidelines regarding the importance of prepregnancy weight loss with behavioral modification, optimization of gestational weight gain, and screening for comorbidities in improving pregnancy outcomes of obese women. Women with previous bariatric surgery should be screened for nutritional deficiencies and have a closer antenatal surveillance, according to all guidelines. In addition, folic acid supplementation is recommended for 1 to 3 months before conception and during the first trimester, but several discrepancies were identified with regard to other vitamins, iodine, calcium, and iron supplementation. All medical societies recommend early screening for gestational diabetes mellitus and early anesthetic assessment in obese women and suggest the use of aspirin for the prevention of preeclampsia when additional risk factors are present, although the optimal dosage is controversial. The International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Society of Obstetricians and Gynecologists of Canada, Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, and Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists point out that specific equipment and adequate resources must be readily available in all health care facilities managing obese pregnant women. Moreover, thromboprophylaxis and prophylactic antibiotics are indicated in case of cesarean delivery, and intrapartum fetal monitoring is justified during active labor in obese patients. However, there are no consistent protocols regarding the fetal surveillance, the monitoring of multiple gestations, the timing and mode of delivery, and the postpartum follow-up, although weight loss and breastfeeding are unanimously supported.

Conclusions

Obesity in pregnancy is a significant contributor to maternal and perinatal morbidity with a constantly rising global prevalence among reproductive-aged women. Thus, the development of uniform international protocols for the effective management of obese women is of paramount importance to safely guide clinical practice and subsequently improve pregnancy outcomes.

Higher daytime systolic BP, prepregnancy BMI and an elevated sFlt-1/PlGF ratio predict the development of hypertension in normotensive pregnant women

BACKGROUND

The risk of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP) varies in women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), depending on the degree of insulin resistance and is also influenced by obesity. The aim of this study was to evaluate clinical features, blood pressure (BP) profiles and inflammatory markers, to identify patients with an elevated risk of developing HDP.

METHODS

A total of 146 normotensive pregnant women were studied. We analysed the relationships of BP profiles detected by ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) with serum biomarkers and angiogenic factors and their association with the development of HDP.

RESULTS

Fourteen (9.6%) women developed HDP, of which 11 had GDM and 8 had obesity. Women with HDP had higher values of 24-h and daytime systolic/diastolic BP (113/69 vs. 104/64; 115/72 vs. 106/66 mmHg, respectively; p <  0.05). Higher levels of leptin (10.97 ± 0.82 vs. 10.2 ± 1.11; p = 0.018) andmonocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) (5.24 ± 0.60 vs. 4.9 ± 0.55; p = 0.044) and a higher soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase-1/placental growth factor (sFlt-1/PlGF) ratio (4.37 ± 2.2 vs. 2.2 ± 1.43; p = 0.003) were also observed in the HDP patients. Multivariate analysis showed that a higher sFlt-1/PlGF ratio was associated with an increased risk of developing HDP [OR = 2.02; IC 95%: 1.35-3.05]. Furthermore, higher daytime systolic BP [OR = 1.27; IC 95% 1.00-1.26] and prepregnancy body mass index (BMI) [OR = 1.14; IC 95%: 1.01-1.30] significantly increased the risk of developing HDP.

CONCLUSIONS

Higher daytime systolic BP values, prepregnancy BMI and the sFlt-1/PlGF ratio are useful for identifying normotensive pregnant women with an increased risk of developing HDP.

The Role of Early Pregnancy Maternal pGCD59 Levels in Predicting Neonatal Hypoglycemia-Subanalysis of the DALI Study

CONTEXT

Neonatal hypoglycaemia (NH) is the most common metabolic problem in infants born of mothers with gestational diabetes. Plasma glycated CD59 (pGCD59) is an emerging biomarker that has shown potential in identifying women at risk of developing gestational diabetes. The aim of this study was to assess the association between early maternal levels of pGCD59 and NH.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to assess the association between early pregnancy maternal levels of plasma glycated CD59 (pGCD59) and neonatal hypoglycemia (NH).

METHODS

This is an observational study of pregnant women with a prepregnancy body mass index (BMI) greater than or equal to 29 screened for eligibility to participate in the Vitamin D and Lifestyle Intervention for Gestational Diabetes (DALI) trial. This analysis included 399 pregnancies. Levels of pGCD59 were measured in fasting maternal samples taken at the time of a 75-g, 2-hour oral glucose tolerance test performed in early pregnancy (< 20 weeks). NH, the study outcome, was defined as a heel-prick capillary glucose level of less than 2.6 mmol/L within 48 hours of delivery.

RESULTS

We identified 30 infants with NH. Maternal levels of pGCD59 in early pregnancy were positively associated with the prevalence of NH (one-way analysis of variance, P < .001). The odds of NH were higher in infants from mothers in tertile 3 of pGCD59 levels compared to those from mothers in tertile 1 (odds ratio [OR]: 2.41; 95% CI, 1.03-5.63). However, this was attenuated when adjusted for maternal BMI (OR: 2.28; 95% CI, 0.96-5.43). The cross-validated area under the curve (AUC) was 0.64 (95% CI, 0.54-0.74), and adjusted for maternal BMI, age, and ethnicity, the AUC was 0.70 (95% CI, 0.56-0.78).

CONCLUSION

Although pGCD59 levels in early pregnancy in women with BMI greater than or equal to 29 are associated with NH, our results indicate that this biomarker by itself is only a fair predictor of NH.

Exploring the diets of mothers and their partners during pregnancy: Findings from the Queensland Family Cohort pilot study

AIM

Modifiable behaviours during the first 1000 days of life influence developmental trajectories of adult chronic diseases. Despite this, sub-optimal dietary intakes during pregnancy and excessive gestational weight gain are common. Very little is known about partners' dietary patterns and the influence on women's pregnancy dietary patterns. We aimed to examine dietary intake during pregnancy among women and their partners, and gestational weight gain patterns in the Queensland Family Cohort pilot study.

METHODS

The Queensland Family Cohort is a prospective, observational study piloted at a Brisbane (Australia) tertiary maternity hospital from 2018 to 2021. Participant characteristics, weight gain, dietary and nutrient intake were assessed.

RESULTS

Data were available for 194 pregnant women and their partners. Poor alignment with Australian Guide to Healthy Eating recommendations was observed. Highest alignment was for fruit (40% women) and meat/alternatives (38% partners) and lowest for breads/cereals (<1% women) and milk/alternatives (13% partners). Fewer women (4.4%-60.3%) than their partners (5.4%-92.3%) met guidelines for all micronutrient intakes from food alone, particularly folic acid, iodine, and iron. Women were more likely to meet daily recommendations for fruit, vegetables, dairy, bread/cereals, and meat/alternatives when their partners also met recommendations. Women with a higher pre-pregnancy body mass index were more likely to gain above recommended weight gain ranges.

CONCLUSIONS

In this contemporary cohort of pregnant women and their partners, sub-optimal dietary patterns and deficits in some nutrients were common. There is an urgent need for evidence-informed public health policy and programs to improve diet quality during pregnancy due to intergenerational effects.

Maternal overweight and obesity and its associated factors and outcomes in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected and HIV-uninfected black South African pregnant women

AIM

This study aimed to investigate various variables between maternal overweight and/or obesity versus normal-weight pregnant black South African women living with and without human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).

METHODS

A cross-sectional study design was employed. A total of 200 pregnant women were enrolled in the study, categorized according to body mass index (BMI) (kg/m² ) into two groups: (1) overweight/obese (≥25 kg/m² ) (n = 97); and (2) nonoverweight/nonobese (<25 kg/m² ) (n = 103), where 90 were HIV-infected and 110 were HIV-uninfected. The differences between the maternal BMI categories were assessed using Fisher's exact t-test and the χ² test. Simple and multiple logistic regression analyses were used to determine factors associated with maternal overweight and obesity.

RESULTS

Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that maternal age (odds ratio [OR]: 1.061; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.008-1.117; p = 0.023) and gestational age (OR: 1.121; 95% CI 1.005-1.251; p = 0.041) were significantly associated with maternal overweight/obesity in both HIV-infected and HIV-uninfected. For maternal health outcomes, multiple logistic regression analysis showed that hypertensive disorders (OR: 0.273; 95% CI 0.124-0.601; p = 0.001) and anemia (OR: 2.420; 95% CI 1.283-4.563; p = 0.006) were significantly associated with maternal overweight/obesity in both HIV-infected and HIV-uninfected. The overweight/obese HIV-infected participants (OR: 0.233; 95% CI 0.075-0.717; p = 0.011) had increased odds for developing hypertensive disorders compared to HIV-uninfected overweight/obese participants (OR: 0.471; 95% CI 0.172-1.291; p = 0.143).

CONCLUSIONS

Maternal overweight/obesity in both HIV-infected and HIV-uninfected pregnant black South African women was significantly associated with maternal age, gestational age, HPT disorders, and anemia. Maternal overweight/obesity decreased the odds for anemia, but increased the odds for the development of HPT disorders, especially in the HIV-infected pregnant women.

Using a Very Low Energy Diet to Achieve Substantial Preconception Weight Loss in Women with Obesity: A Review of the Safety and Efficacy

Obesity in women of reproductive age is common. Emerging evidence suggests that maternal obesity not only increases the risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes but also has an enduring impact on the metabolic health of the offspring. Given this, management of obesity prior to pregnancy is critically important. Almost all international guidelines suggest that women with obesity should aim to achieve weight loss prior to pregnancy. However, current pre-conception weight loss therapies are sub-optimal. Lifestyle modification typically results in modest weight loss. This may assist fertility but does not alter pregnancy outcomes. Bariatric surgery results in substantial weight loss, which improves pregnancy outcomes for the mother but may be harmful to the offspring. Alternative approaches to the management of obesity in women planning pregnancy are needed. Very low energy diets (VLEDs) have been proposed as a possible tool to assist women with obesity achieve weight loss prior to conception. While VLEDs can induce substantial and rapid weight loss, there are concerns about the impact of rapid weight loss on maternal nutrition prior to pregnancy and about inadvertent exposure of the early fetus to ketosis. The purpose of this review is to examine the existing literature regarding the safety and efficacy of a preconception VLED program as a tool to achieve substantial weight loss in women with obesity.

Actions of Esomeprazole on the Maternal Vasculature in Lean and Obese Pregnant Mice with Impaired Nitric Oxide Synthesis: A Model of Preeclampsia

Preeclampsia is a devastating, multisystem disorder of pregnancy. It has no cure except delivery, which if premature can impart significant neonatal morbidity. Efforts to repurpose pregnancy-safe therapeutics for the treatment of preeclampsia have led to the assessment of the proton pump inhibitor, esomeprazole. Preclinically, esomeprazole reduced placental secretion of anti-angiogenic sFlt-1, improved endothelial dysfunction, promoted vasorelaxation, and reduced maternal hypertension in a mouse model. Our understanding of the precise mechanisms through which esomeprazole works to reduce endothelial dysfunction and enhance vasoreactivity is limited. Evidence from earlier studies suggested esomeprazole might work via the nitric oxide pathway, upregulating endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS). Here, we investigated the effect of esomeprazole in a mouse model of L-NAME-induced hypertension (decreased eNOS activity). We further antagonised the model by addition of diet-induced obesity, which is relevant to both preeclampsia and the nitric oxide pathway. Esomeprazole did not decrease blood pressure in this model, nor were there any alterations in vasoreactivity or changes in foetal outcomes in lean mice. We observed similar findings in the obese mouse cohort, except esomeprazole treatment enhanced ex vivo acetylcholine-induced vasorelaxation. As acetylcholine induces nitric oxide production, these findings hint at a function for esomeprazole in the nitric oxide pathway.

Single-centre survey of women reflecting on recent experiences and preferences of oral intake during labour

BACKGROUND

Consensus-based recommendations guiding oral intake during labour are lacking.

AIMS

We surveyed women at a tertiary women's hospital about preferences for and experiences of oral intake during labour, gastrointestinal symptoms during labour and recalled advice about oral intake.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Women who experienced labour completed a postpartum survey with responses as free text, yes-no questions and five-point Likert scales. We identified demographic data and risk factors for surgical or anaesthetic intervention at delivery from medical records. We summarised free text comments using conventional content analysis.

RESULTS

One hundred and forty-nine women completed the survey (47% response rate). Their mean (SD) age was 31 (four) years, birthing at median gestation of 39 weeks (interquartile range: 38-40). One hundred and twenty-two (83%) and 44 (30%) women strongly agreed or agreed they felt like drinking and eating respectively during labour. Ninety women (61%) reported nausea and 47 women (32%) reported vomiting in labour. Forty-one women (28%) did not receive advice on oral intake during labour. Maternal risk factors for surgical intervention were identified in 72 (48%) women and fetal risk factors in 27 (18%) women. Thirty-one women (21%) delivered by emergency caesarean section.

CONCLUSION

Pregnant women received variable advice regarding oral intake during labour, from variable sources. Most women felt like drinking but not eating during labour. Guidelines on oral intake in labour may be beneficial to women, balancing the preferences of women with risks of surgical intervention.

Gestational weight gain and postpartum weight retention in Tasmanian women: The Baby-bod Study

Many factors can negatively impact perinatal outcomes, including inappropriate gestational weight gain (GWG). Despite having the greatest potential to influence maternal and infant health, there is a lack of consensus regarding the GWG consistent with a healthy pregnancy. To date, GWG in Northern Tasmania remains understudied. We investigated how maternal pre-pregnancy body mass index (BMI) is related to weight gain during pregnancy and weight retention post-partum, and how maternal pre-pregnancy BMI is related to the mode of delivery. Approximately 300 Tasmanian mothers (n = 291 for mode of delivery and n = 282 for GWG) were included in this study. Analysis of variance and chi square tests were conducted to assess differences in BW of mothers across BMI categories and differences between categorical variables; respectively. Based on pre-pregnancy BMI, mothers were assigned to one of three groups, with healthy weight (<25 kg m-2), with overweight (25–29.9 kg m-2), or with obesity (>30 kg m-2). Pre-pregnancy BMI and body weight (BW) were significantly associated (p<0.001) with post-partum BW at 3 and 6 months. Only 25% of mothers with a normal weight BMI, 34% with overweight and 13% with obesity, achieved the Institute of Medicine (IOM) recommendation for GWG. Interestingly, a number of women in our cohort lost weight during gestation (1.5, 9 and 37% in <25, 25–29.9 and >30 kg m-2 groups, respectively). Further, women with obesity showed the lowest level of BW fluctuation and retained less weight post-partum. The highest number of caesarean sections were observed in mothers who exceeded GWG recommendations. Most mothers either exceeded or failed to achieve IOM recommendations for GWG. To improve the generalisability of these findings, this study should be replicated in a larger representative sample of the Tasmanian maternal population.

Blood Pressure Monitoring and Perinatal Outcomes in Normotensive Women with Gestational Diabetes Mellitus

Alterations in ambulatory blood pressure detected by monitoring (ABPM) have been associated with perinatal complications in hypertensive pregnant women. Aim: To establish the relationships between the blood pressure (BP) profiles detected by ABPM and adverse perinatal outcomes in normotensive women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). Methods: A prospective study of normotensive women in whom 24 h ABPM was performed at 28–32 weeks of pregnancy. The obstetric and perinatal outcomes were evaluated. Results: Two hundred patients were included. Thirty-seven women with GDM and obesity had significantly higher mean systolic BP (SBP) and nocturnal SBP and diastolic BP (DBP) compared to women with only GDM (n = 86). Nocturnal SBP (OR = 1.077; p = 0.015) and obesity (OR = 1.131; p = 0.035) were risk factors for the development of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDPs). Mothers of newborns with neonatal complications (n = 27) had higher nocturnal SBP (103.8 vs. 100 mmHg; p = 0.047) and DBP (62.7 vs. 59.4; p = 0.016). Women who delivered preterm (n = 10) had higher BP and a non-dipper pattern (p = 0.005). Conclusions: Nocturnal SBP was a predictor of HDPs in normotensive women with obesity or GDM. Alterations in ABPM in these patients were associated with poor obstetric and perinatal outcomes.

The impact of parity and maternal obesity on the fetal outcomes of a non-selected Lower Saxony population

OBJECTIVES

Maternal obesity during pregnancy is associated with adverse intrauterine events and fetal outcomes and may increase the risk of obesity and metabolic disease development in offspring. Higher parity, regardless of socioeconomic status, is associated with increased maternal body mass index (BMI). In this study, we examined the relationship between parity, maternal obesity, and fetal outcomes in a large sample of mother-neonate pairs from Lower Saxony, Germany.

METHODS

This retrospective cohort study examined pseudonymized data of a non-selected singleton cohort from Lower Saxony's statewide quality assurance initiative. 448,963 cases were included. Newborn outcomes were assessed in relation to maternal BMI and parity.

RESULTS

Maternal obesity was associated with an increased risk of placental insufficiency, chorioamnionitis, and fetal distress while giving birth. This effect was present across all parity groups. Fetal presentation did not differ between BMI groups, except for the increased risk of high longitudinal position and shoulder dystocia in obese women. Maternal obesity was also associated with an increased risk of premature birth, low arterial cord blood pH and low 5-min APGAR scores.

CONCLUSIONS

Maternal obesity increases the risk of adverse neonatal outcomes. There is a positive correlation between parity and increased maternal BMI. Weight-dependent fetal risk factors increase with parity, while parity-dependent outcomes occur less frequently in multipara. Prevention and intervention programs for women planning to become pregnant can be promising measures to reduce pregnancy and birth complications.

Male Rat Offspring Are More Impacted by Maternal Obesity Induced by Cafeteria Diet than Females-Additive Effect of Postweaning Diet

Maternal obesity increases the risk of health complications in offspring, but whether these effects are exacerbated by offspring exposure to unhealthy diets warrants further investigation. Female Sprague-Dawley rats were fed either standard chow (n = 15) or ‘cafeteria’ (Caf, n = 21) diets across pre-pregnancy, gestation, and lactation. Male and female offspring were weaned onto chow or Caf diet (2–3/sex/litter), forming four groups; behavioural and metabolic parameters were assessed. At weaning, offspring from Caf dams were smaller and lighter, but had more retroperitoneal (RP) fat, with a larger effect in males. Maternal Caf diet significantly increased relative expression of ACACA and Fasn in male and female weanling liver, but not CPT-1, SREBP and PGC1; PPARα was increased in males from Caf dams. Maternal obesity enhanced the impact of postweaning Caf exposure on adult body weight, RP fat, liver mass, and plasma leptin in males but not females. Offspring from Caf dams appeared to exhibit reduced anxiety-like behaviour on the elevated plus maze. Hepatic CPT-1 expression was reduced only in adult males from Caf fed dams. Post weaning Caf diet consumption did not alter liver gene expression in the adult offspring. Maternal obesity exacerbated the obesogenic phenotype produced by postweaning Caf diet in male, but not female offspring. Thus, the impact of maternal obesity on adiposity and liver gene expression appeared more marked in males. Our data underline the sex-specific detrimental effects of maternal obesity on offspring.

Obesity and oocyte quality: Significant implications for ART and Emerging mechanistic insights

The prevalence of obesity in adults worldwide, and specifically in women of reproductive age, is concerning given the risks to fertility posed by the increased risk of type 2 diabetes, metabolic syndrome and other non-communicable diseases. Obesity has a multi-systemic impact in female physiology that is characterized by the presence of oxidative stress, lipotoxicity, and the activation of pro-inflammatory pathways, inducing tissue-specific insulin resistance and ultimately conducive to abnormal ovarian function. A higher body mass is linked to Polycystic Ovary Syndrome, dysregulated menstrual cycles, anovulation, and longer time to pregnancy, even in ovulatory women. In the context of ART, compared to women of normal BMI, obese women have worse outcomes in every step of their journey, resulting in reduced success measured as live birth rate. Even after pregnancy is achieved, obese women have a higher chance of miscarriage, gestational diabetes, pregnancy complications, birth defects, and most worryingly, a higher risk of stillbirth and neonatal death. The potential for compounding effects of ART on pregnancy complications and infant morbidities in obese women has not been studied. There is still much debate in the field on whether these poorer outcomes are mainly driven by defects in oocyte quality, abnormal embryo development or an unaccommodating uterine environment, however the clinical evidence to date suggests a combination of all three are responsible. Animal models of maternal obesity shed light on the mechanisms underlaying the effects of obesity on the peri-conception environment, with recent findings pointing to lipotoxicity in the ovarian environment as a key driver of defects in oocytes that have not only reduced developmental competence but long-lasting effects in offspring health.

Maternal Obesity and Its Associated Factors and Outcomes in Klang Valley, Malaysia: Findings from National Obstetric Registry

INTRODUCTION

Maternal obesity presents significant health risks to mothers and their fetuses. This study aimed to determine the proportion, associated factors and outcomes of maternal obesity among pregnant women in Klang Valley, Malaysia.

METHODS

A retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted between January 2018 and March 2018 using secondary data from the Malaysian National Obstetric Registry (NOR) for the year 2015. All pregnant women with first-trimester booking at 12 weeks and below that were registered with the NOR and met the inclusion and exclusion criteria were included in the study. Descriptive statistics and multiple logistic regression analysis were used. Data were analysed using SPSS version 22.0. A total of 2113 respondents were included in this study to determine the proportion, associated factors and outcomes of maternal obesity. Regarding the univariate and multivariate analyses, respondents were classified into two groups: normal and obese. The obese group comprised overweight and obese mothers. The underweight group was excluded in the subsequent analysis.

RESULTS

Out of the 2113 respondents, 7.1% were underweight, 41.7% were of normal weight, 28.6% were overweight, 15.9% were in obese class I, 4.6% were in obese class II, and 2.1% were in obese class III according to the WHO (1995) reference. However, when the MOH (2003) cutoff point was used, there was a marked increase in the proportion of respondents in the overweight categories by 2.7% and obesity class I by 12.8%. The Indian (AdjOR 2.06, 95% CI: 1.11, 3.83, p=0.021) and Malay (AdjOR 1.75, 95% CI: 1.02, 3.00, p=0.040) ethnicities, as well as both multiparity (AdjOR 1.46, 95% CI: 1.23, 1.73, p <0.001) and grand multiparity (AdjOR 2.41, 95% CI: 1.78, 3.26, p <0.001), were significantly associated with maternal obesity. There were significant association between maternal obesity with hypertensive disorder in pregnancy (p=0.025), caesarean section delivery (p=0.002) and macrosomic infant (p <0.001).

CONCLUSION

The identification of risk factors for maternal obesity is important to facilitate intervention programmes focused on improving the pregnancy outcomes for a high-risk group of women.

Impact of maternal pre-pregnancy body mass index on maternal, fetal and neonatal adverse outcomes in the worldwide populations: A systematic review and meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE

Systematic review and meta-analysis conducted to investigate the effect of stratified pre-pregnancy maternal body mass index on twenty maternal and fetal/neonatal adverse outcomes.

METHODS

PubMed, Google Scholar, Medline, Embase, Web of Science databases were searched from inception till July 11, 2020. Cohort studies were included. The pooled odds ratio with 95% confidence interval was reported considering the random effect and the quality effect model. The sub-group analysis and meta-regression were conducted for BMI cut-offs, geographical region, source of BMI, and sample size.

RESULTS

Overall, 86 studies representing 20,328,777 pregnant women were included in this meta-analysis. Our study reveals that overweight and obese mothers are at increased odds of cesarean delivery, elective cesarean delivery, emergency cesarean delivery, gestational diabetes, gestational hypertension, induction of labor, postpartum hemorrhage, pre-eclampsia, pre-term premature rupture of membrane, and the fetuses/neonates of overweight and obese mothers are at increased risk of admission in the newborn intensive care unit, APGAR scores less than 7 at 5 min, large for gestational age, macrosomia, extreme pre-term birth in pregnant mothers compared with standard BMI mothers. However, the underweight mothers showed increased odds for small for gestational age infant and pre-term birth, whereas obese mothers were at higher risk for post-term birth and stillbirths. The subgroup and meta-regression analyses have shown the impact of BMI cut-offs, geographical region, source of BMI, and sample size on several maternal, fetal/neonatal adverse outcomes.

CONCLUSION

The meta-analysis confirmed the association of elevated pre-pregnancy maternal BMI with higher odds of adverse maternal and fetal/neonatal outcomes.

A retrospective case-control cohort analysis of comorbidity and health expenditure in hospitalized adults diagnosed with obesity utilizing ICD-10 diagnostic coding

The cost and comorbidity of obesity in hospitalized inpatients, is less known. A retrospective study of patients presenting to a large district hospital in Western Sydney (April 2016-February 2017) using clinical, pathological as well as diagnostic coding data for obesity as per ICD-10. Of 43 212 consecutive hospital presentations, 390 had an obesity-coded diagnosis (Ob, 0.90%), of which 244 were gender and age-matched to a non-obesity coded cohort (NOb). Weight and BMI were higher in the Ob vs NOb group (126 ± 37 vs 82 ± 25 kg; BMI 46 ± 12 vs 29 ± 8 kg/m² , P < .001) with a medical record documentation rate of 62% for obesity among Ob. The Ob cohort had 2-5× higher rates of cardiopulmonary and metabolic complications (P < .001), greater pharmacologic burden, length of stay (LOS, 225 vs 89 hours, P < .001) and stay in intensive care but no differences in the prevalence of mental disorders. Compared with BMI <35 kg/m² , inpatients with BMI >35 kg/m² were 5× more likely to require intensive care (OR 5.08 [1.43-27.3, 95% CI], P = .0047). The initiation of obesity-specific interventions by clinical teams was very low. People with obesity who are admitted to hospital carry significant cost and complications, yet obesity is seldom recognized as a clinical entity or contributor.

Early pregnancy body mass index, gestational weight gain and perinatal outcome in an obstetric population in Lagos, Nigeria

Introduction

the burden of overweight and obesity is rapidly increasing worldwide with significant health and social consequences. We determined the prevalence of overweight and obesity, pattern of gestational weight gain (GWG) and the associations of these with perinatal outcome among pregnant women in Lagos, Nigeria.

Methods

this was a retrospective review of case records of all deliveries in Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH) over a period of two years. Case records of women with singleton pregnancies who registered for antenatal care at or below 20 weeks gestation were retrieved and reviewed to extract information on demography, anthropometrics, composites of pregnancy and perinatal outcomes. World Health Organization classification of BMI and the United States Institute of Medicine categorization of GWG were used to stratify subjects.

Results

out of 4,512 deliveries, 365 (8.1%) met our criteria. The prevalence of overweight and obesity in early pregnancy was 34.6% and 25.6% respectively while 2.9% were underweight. Thirty-seven (11.1%) pregnant women gained more than the recommended weight while 77.8% of underweight pregnant women gained less than the recommended weight. Following multiple logistic regression analysis, obesity in early pregnancy was significantly related to hypertensive pregnancy disorder (AOR 2.2; 95% CI, 1.08-4.32, p = 0.030), gestational diabetes mellitus (AOR 14.4; 95% CI, 4.85-42.6, p = < 0.001), caesarean section (AOR 2.7; 95% CI, 1.51-4.87, p = 0.001) and infections (AOR 4.9; 95% CI, 1.93-12.62, p = 0.001) while excessive GWG was significantly associated with gestational diabetes mellitus (AOR 4.8; 95% CI, 1.63-14.12, p = 0.004).

Conclusion

prevalence of early pregnancy overweight, obesity and excessive GWG were high among pregnant women in Nigeria and were associated with significant adverse consequences.

Maternal health and health-related behaviours and their associations with child health: Evidence from an Australian birth cohort

Objective

This study investigates the associations between maternal health and health-related behaviours (nutrition, physical activity, alcohol consumption and smoking) both during pregnancy and up to 15 months from childbirth and children’s health outcomes during infancy and adolescence (general health, presence of a chronic illness, and physical health outcome index).

Methods

This study used Wave 1 (2004) and Wave 7 (2016) data from the Longitudinal Survey of Australian Children (LSAC). We measured mothers’ general health, presence of a medical condition during pregnancy and mental health during pregnancy or in the year after childbirth. We subsequently measured the children’s general health, presence of a medical condition, and physical health outcome index at ages 0–1 (infancy) and 12–13 (adolescence). Binary logistic and linear regression analyses were performed to examine the association between the mothers’ health-related variables and their children’s health.

Results

Our results showed that poor general health of the mother in the year after childbirth was associated with higher odds of poor health in infants and adolescents in all three dimensions: poor general health (OR: 3.13, 95% CI: 2.16–4.52 for infants; OR: 1.39, 95% CI: 0.95–2.04 for adolescents), presence of a chronic condition (OR: 1.47, 95% CI: 1.19–1.81 for adolescents) and lower physical health score (b = −0.94, p-value <0.05 for adolescents). Our study also revealed that the presence of a chronic condition in mothers during pregnancy significantly increased the likelihood of the presence of a chronic condition in their offspring during infancy (OR: 1.31, 95% CI: 1.12–1.54) and during adolescence (OR: 1.45, 95% CI: 1.20–1.75). The study found that stressful life events faced by mothers increase the odds of poor general health or any chronic illness during adolescence, while stress, anxiety or depression during pregnancy and psychological distress in the year after childbirth increase the odds of any chronic illness during infancy.

Conclusions

The present study found evidence that poor maternal physical and mental health during pregnancy or up to 15 months from childbirth has adverse health consequences for their offspring as measured by general health, presence of chronic health conditions, and physical health index scores. This suggests that initiatives to improve maternal physical and mental health would not only improve child health but would also reduce the national health burden.

Impact of preconception weight loss on fasting glucose and pregnancy outcomes in women with obesity: A randomized trial

OBJECTIVE

This study examined the effectiveness of a nonsurgical, preconception weight loss intervention on pregnancy outcomes in women with obesity.

METHODS

This was a two-arm, parallel-group randomized controlled trial. A total of 164 women with BMI 30 to 55 kg/m² who were aged 18 to 38 years and planning pregnancy were randomized to a 12-week standard dietary intervention (SDI; n = 79) or a modified very low-energy diet (VLED; n = 85). Participants were observed for ≤48 weeks while trying for pregnancy and then during pregnancy. The primary outcome was maternal fasting plasma glucose at 26 to 28 weeks' gestation. Exploratory outcomes were individual and composite obesity-related adverse pregnancy outcomes.

RESULTS

Weight loss was greater in the VLED group (SDI 3.2 [0.6] kg vs. VLED 13.0 [0.5] kg, p < 0.01). In completers who had a singleton live birth (SDI 22/79 vs. VLED 35/85, p = 0.10), there was no difference in fasting glucose at 26 to 28 weeks' gestation (SDI 4.8[0.2] mmol/L vs. VLED 4.6 [0.1] mmol/L, p = 0.42). However, the composite of adverse pregnancy outcomes was significantly lower in the VLED group (p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Substantial prepregnancy weight loss in women with obesity does not alter fasting glucose at 26 to 28 weeks' gestation but does reduce a composite of adverse pregnancy outcomes. A better understanding of metabolic changes in pregnancy after preconception weight loss may assist in improving maternal and neonatal health outcomes.

Queensland Family Cohort: a study protocol

INTRODUCTION

The perinatal-postnatal family environment is associated with childhood outcomes including impacts on physical and mental health and educational attainment. Family longitudinal cohort studies collect in-depth data that can capture the influence of an era on family lifestyle, mental health, chronic disease, education and financial stability to enable identification of gaps in society and provide the evidence for changes in government in policy and practice.

METHODS AND ANALYSIS

The Queensland Family Cohort (QFC) is a prospective, observational, longitudinal study that will recruit 12 500 pregnant families across the state of Queensland (QLD), Australia and intends to follow-up families and children for three decades. To identify the immediate and future health requirements of the QLD population; pregnant participants and their partners will be enrolled by 24 weeks of gestation and followed up at 24, 28 and 36 weeks of gestation, during delivery, on-ward, 6 weeks postpartum and then every 12 months where questionnaires, biological samples and physical measures will be collected from parents and children. To examine the impact of environmental exposures on families, data related to environmental pollution, household pollution and employment exposures will be linked to pregnancy and health outcomes. Where feasible, data linkage of state and federal government databases will be used to follow the participants long term. Biological samples will be stored long term for future discoveries of biomarkers of health and disease.

ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION

Ethical approval has been obtained from the Mater Research Ethics (HREC/16/MHS/113). Findings will be reported to (1) QFC participating families; (2) funding bodies, institutes and hospitals supporting the QFC; (3) federal, state and local governments to inform policy; (4) presented at local, national and international conferences and (5) disseminated by peer-review publications.

The Lancet women and cardiovascular disease Commission: reducing the global burden by 2030

Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in women. Decades of grassroots campaigns have helped to raise awareness about the impact of cardiovascular disease in women, and positive changes affecting women and their health have gained momentum. Despite these efforts, there has been stagnation in the overall reduction of cardiovascular disease burden for women in the past decade. Cardiovascular disease in women remains understudied, under-recognised, underdiagnosed, and undertreated. This Commission summarises existing evidence and identifies knowledge gaps in research, prevention, treatment, and access to care for women. Recommendations from an international team of experts and leaders in the field have been generated with a clear focus to reduce the global burden of cardiovascular disease in women by 2030. This Commission represents the first effort of its kind to connect stakeholders, to ignite global awareness of sex-related and gender-related disparities in cardiovascular disease, and to provide a springboard for future research.

An integrative review of interventions for limiting gestational weight gain in pregnant women who are overweight or obese

PROBLEM

Excessive gestational weight gain in women who are overweight or obese puts them at risk of poor short- and long-term outcomes for maternal and neonatal health. Several interventions have been trialled to encourage women who are overweight or obese to limit gestational weight gain during pregnancy.

AIM

The aim of this review was to analyse the evidence on interventions to limit gestational weight gain in pregnant women who are overweight or obese.

METHOD

An integrative review guided by the Joanna Briggs Institute approach was conducted. An unlabeled search query of pregnancy, weight, and obesity was conducted in Medline, Scopus and CINAHL, limited to English language, 2010-2020 publications, and primary research on humans. Unlabeled search query of "((pregnancy outcome) OR (prenatal care) OR (pregnancy complications)) AND ((weight loss) OR (weight gain) OR (weight management)) AND (obesity) was used. Additional 9 records were identified through reference lists. Following a critical appraisal, 21 primary research articles were included in this review. A thematic synthesis was undertaken.

FINDINGS

Four major themes were identified. These are (1) mixed findings of lifestyle interventions for weight management, (2) ineffectiveness of probiotics or metformin for weight management, (3) psycho-behavioural interventions for weight management, and (4) midwifery role as an integral component in multidisciplinary intervention for weight management.

CONCLUSION

The literature suggests a need for longer duration of behavioural lifestyle intervention sessions led by the same midwife trained in motivational interviewing to limit weight gain in pregnant women who are overweight or obese.

In-hospital mortality and morbidity among extremely preterm infants in relation to maternal body mass index

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this paper is to compare in-hospital survival and survival without major morbidities in extremely preterm infants in relation to maternal body mass index (BMI).

METHODS

This retrospective cohort study included extremely preterm infants (gestational age 220/7-286/7 weeks). This study was conducted at National Institute of Child Health and Human Development Neonatal Research Network sites. Primary outcome was survival without any major morbidity.

RESULTS

Maternal BMI data were available for 2415 infants. Survival without any major morbidity was not different between groups: 30.8% in the underweight/normal, 28.1% in the overweight, and 28.5% in the obese (P = 0.65). However, survival was lower in the obese group (76.5%) compared with overweight group (83.2%) (P = 0.02). Each unit increase in maternal BMI was associated with decreased odds of infant survival (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

Survival without any major morbidity was not associated with maternal obesity. An increase in maternal prepregnancy BMI was associated with decreased odds of infant survival.

The Role of Lifestyle Intervention in the Prevention and Treatment of Gestational Diabetes

Obesity during pregnancy is associated with the development of adverse outcomes, including gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). GDM is highly associated with obesity and independently increases the risk of both complications during pregnancy and future impaired glycemic control and risk factors for cardiovascular disease for both the mother and child. Despite extensive research evaluating the effectiveness of lifestyle interventions incorporating diet and/or exercise, there remains a lack of definitive consensus on their overall efficacy alone or in combination for both the prevention and treatment of GDM. Combination of diet and physical activity/exercise interventions for GDM prevention demonstrates limited success, whereas exercise-only interventions report of risk reductions ranging from 3 to 49%. Similarly, combination therapy of diet and exercise is the first-line treatment of GDM, with positive effects on maternal weight gain and the prevalence of infants born large-for-gestational age. Yet, there is inconclusive evidence on the effects of diet or exercise as standalone therapies for GDM treatment. In clinical care, women with GDM should be treated with a multidisciplinary approach, starting with lifestyle modification and escalating to pharmacotherapy if needed. Several key knowledge gaps remain, including how lifestyle interventions can be optimized during pregnancy, and whether intervention during preconception is effective for preventing the rising prevalence of GDM.

Insulin regulates human mammosphere development and function

Assessing the role of lactogenic hormones in human mammary gland development is limited due to issues accessing tissue samples and so development of a human in vitro three-dimensional mammosphere model with functions similar to secretory alveoli in the mammary gland can aid to overcome this shortfall. In this study, a mammosphere model has been characterised using human mammary epithelial cells grown on either mouse extracellular matrix or agarose and showed insulin is essential for formation of mammospheres. Insulin was shown to up-regulate extracellular matrix genes. Microarray analysis of these mammospheres revealed an up-regulation of differentiation, cell-cell junctions, and cytoskeleton organisation functions, suggesting mammosphere formation may be regulated through ILK signalling. Comparison of insulin and IGF-1 effects on mammosphere signalling showed that although IGF-1 could induce spherical structures, the cells did not polarise correctly as shown by the absence of up-regulation of polarisation genes and did not induce the expression of milk protein genes. This study demonstrated a major role for insulin in mammary acinar development for secretory differentiation and function indicating the potential for reduced lactational efficiency in women with obesity and gestational diabetes.

Searching for Utopia, the Challenge of Standardized Medical Nutrition Therapy Prescription in Gestational Diabetes Mellitus Management: A Critical Review

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is a common pregnancy disorder and the incidence is increasing worldwide. GDM is associated with adverse maternal outcomes which may be reduced with proper management. Lifestyle modification in the form of medical nutrition therapy and physical activity, as well as self-monitoring of blood glucose levels, is the cornerstone of GDM management. Inevitably, the search for the "ultimate" diet prescription has been ongoing. Identifying the amount and type of carbohydrate to maintain blood glucose levels below targets while balancing the nutritional requirements of pregnancy and achieving gestational weight gain within recommendations is challenging. Recent developments in the area of the gut microbiota and its impact on glycemic response add another layer of complexity to the success of medical nutrition therapy. This review critically explores the challenges to dietary prescription for GDM and why utopia may never be found.

COVID-19 pandemic gestational diabetes screening guidelines: A retrospective study in Australian women

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Gestational diabetes (GDM) is one of the most common medical complications of pregnancy and associated with significant perinatal and long-term morbidity. Temporary changes to the diagnostic testing for GDM have been recommended for the COVID-19 pandemic. This study aims to identify what proportion of women with GDM would be missed by the COVID-19 GDM screening criteria. Secondly an analysis of the relationship between HbA1c, fasting blood glucose (FBG) and pregnancy outcomes will be completed.

METHODS

This was a retrospective analysis of all GDM patients at an Australian secondary hospital between January 2019 and February 2020. The proportion of women with GDM who would have been missed using the COVID-19 guidelines was assessed. Patients were divided into groups according to how their GDM was managed during the pregnancy: Diet, Metformin (MF), Insulin and MF + Insulin groups. Differences between the groups were compared using one-way ANOVA and post-hoc analysis was completed using the Bonferroni test. Logistic regression was employed to further compare the differences between the groups.

RESULTS

The study group comprised 237 patients. Sixty patients (25.3%) would not have had GDM detected in their pregnancy using the COVID-19 guidelines. FBG was the most significant predictor for intervention with medication for GDM (p = 0.001).

CONCLUSION

HbA1c and FBG are poor screening tests for GDM. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the OGTT should be given clinical priority in high risk patients. Elevated FBG is a significant predictor for needing medical management and could be used in the future to better enable individualised treatment.

Healthy eating and lifestyle in pregnancy (HELP): a cluster randomised trial to evaluate the effectiveness of a weight management intervention for pregnant women with obesity on weight at 12 months postpartum

OBJECTIVE

To assess whether a weight management intervention for pregnant women with obesity was effective in reducing body mass index (BMI) 12 months after giving birth.

METHODS

Pragmatic, cluster randomised controlled trial (RCT) with embedded cost-effectiveness analysis. 598 women with a BMI of ≥30 kg/m² (between 12 and 20 weeks gestation) were recruited from 20 secondary care maternity units in England and Wales. BMI at 12 months postpartum was the primary outcome. A range of clinical and behavioural secondary outcomes were examined.

INTERVENTIONS

Women attending maternity units randomised to intervention were invited to a weekly weight management group, which combined expertise from a commercial weight loss programme with clinical advice from midwives. Both intervention and control participants received usual care and leaflets on diet and physical activity in pregnancy.

RESULTS

Mean (SD) BMI at 12 months postpartum was 36.0 kg/m² (5.2) in the control group, and 37.5 kg/m² (6.7) in the intervention group. After adjustment for baseline BMI, the intervention effect was -0.02 (95% CI -0.04 to 0.01). The intervention group had an improved healthy eating score (3.08, 95% CI 0.16 to 6.00, p < 0.04), improved fibre score (3.22, 1.07 to 5.37, p < 0.01) and lower levels of risky drinking at 12 months postpartum compared to the control group (OR 0.45, 0.27 to 0.74, p < 0.002). The net incremental monetary benefit was not statistically significantly different between arms, although the probability of the intervention being cost-effective was above 60%, at policy-relevant thresholds.

CONCLUSIONS

There was no significant difference between groups on the primary outcome of BMI at 12 months. Analyses of secondary outcomes indicated improved healthy eating and lower levels of risky drinking.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

Current Controlled Trials ISRCTN25260464.

Dietary Fiber Intake Alters Gut Microbiota Composition but Does Not Improve Gut Wall Barrier Function in Women with Future Hypertensive Disorders of Pregnancy

Pregnancy alters the inflammatory state, metabolic hormones, and gut microbiota composition. It is unclear if the lower abundance of dietary fiber-fermenting, short-chain fatty acid-producing bacteria observed in hypertension also occurs in hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP). This study investigated the relationship between dietary fiber intake and the gut microbiota profile at 28 weeks gestation in women who developed HDP in late pregnancy (n = 22) or remained normotensive (n = 152) from the Study of PRobiotics IN Gestational diabetes (SPRING). Dietary fiber intake was classified as above or below the median of 18.2 g/day. Gut microbiota composition was examined using 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing. The gut permeability marker zonulin was measured in a subset of 46 samples. In women with future HPD, higher dietary fiber intake was specifically associated with increased abundance of Veillonella, lower abundance of Adlercreutzia, Anaerotruncus and Uncl. Mogibacteriaceae and higher zonulin levels than normotensive women. Fiber intake and zonulin levels were negatively correlated in women with normotensive pregnancies but not in pregnancies with future HDP. In women with normotensive pregnancies, dietary fiber intake may improve gut barrier function. In contrast, in women who develop HDP, gut wall barrier function is impaired and not related to dietary fiber intake.

Impact of preconception, pregnancy, and postpartum culinary nutrition education interventions: a systematic review

CONTEXT

Frequent consumption of home-prepared meals is associated with higher diet quality in children and adults. Therefore, increasing the culinary skills of women and couples during their childbearing years may be an effective strategy for the prevention of overweight and obesity.

OBJECTIVE

To determine the impact of culinary nutrition-education interventions for women with or without their partners during preconception, pregnancy, or postpartum (PPP) on parental cooking skills, nutrition knowledge, parent/child diet quality, or health outcomes.

DATA SOURCES

Eligibility criteria were defined using a PICOS framework. A systematic search strategy was developed to identify eligible studies and was implemented in 11 electronic databases. Reference lists of selected systematic reviews were manually searched for additional studies.

DATA EXTRACTION

Study characteristics and outcomes were extracted from eligible studies by 1 reviewer and checked by a second reviewer.

DATA ANALYSIS

A narrative synthesis of the findings of eligible studies was prepared including descriptive statistics. Reporting was guided by the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses statement and Synthesis Without Meta-Analysis in systematic reviews reporting guideline.

RESULTS

A total of 6951 articles were identified from the search strategy and 31 studies during pregnancy or postpartum were included. By category, the number of studies with a favorable outcome per total number of studies measuring outcome were as follows: parental food/cooking skills (n = 5 of 5), nutrition knowledge (n = 6 of 11), parent/child diet quality (n = 10 of 19), infant feeding (n = 6 of 11), eating behavior (n = 2 of 5), maternal (n = 2 of 5) and child anthropometry (n = 6 of 10), mental health and development n = (2 of 3), and clinical indictors (n = 1 of 1).

CONCLUSIONS

Culinary nutrition-education interventions during pregnancy and the postpartum period show promise in improving cooking skills, diet quality, and a variety of health-related outcomes. The precise effect of these interventions during PPP is limited by the quality and heterogeneity of study designs to date.

SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION

PROSPERO registration number: CRD42020154966.

Gyejigachulbutang (Gui-Zhi-Jia-Shu-Fu-Tang, Keishikajutsubuto, TJ-18) in Degenerative Knee Osteoarthritis Patients: Lessons and Responders from a Multicenter Randomized Placebo-Controlled Double-Blind Clinical Trial

Background

Gyejigachulbutang (GUI-ZHI-JIA-SHU-FU-TANG, GCB) is an herbal formula widely prescribed in traditional East Asian medicine practice for arthritis and muscle pain. We evaluated the efficacy and safety of GCB for degenerative knee osteoarthritis (KOA).

Methods

Eighty patients with KOA were randomly assigned to the GCB group or the placebo group in a 1 : 1 ratio in two Korean medicine hospitals. Patients took GCB or placebo three times a day for 4 weeks. Primary outcome was the change in the visual analogue scale (VAS) score for knee pain from baseline to 4^th week. Secondary outcomes were the change in the VAS score from baseline to 2^nd week and 8^th week, Korean Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (K-WOMAC), European Quality of Life Five Dimensions questionnaire (EQ-5D), and safety.

Results

There was no significant difference between the compared indicators of the GCB and placebo groups. However, in subgroup analysis, GCB was effective for subjects with a BMI lower than 25 kg/m². The dose of pain medication was significantly lower in the GCB group than in the placebo group after four weeks (p=0.016). There were no serious adverse events in the GCB group.

Conclusions

GCB was not effective in primary outcome analysis. In exploratory subgroup analysis, GCB might be effective for individuals with BMI lower than 25 kg/m² for the treatment of degenerative KOA. GCB may also help reduce the consumption of pain medication. Furthermore, research is required for our hypothesis. This trial is registered with KCT0003024.

Triglyceride-to-high density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio and triglyceride-glucose index in the perinatal period of neonates

BACKGROUND

Environmental factors and growth disturbances, either intra-uterine, or post-natal, can result in permanent changes in tissues and also long-term effects that may present themselves as pathological conditions in adulthood, including increased incidence of insulin resistance, impaired glucose tolerance, and also higher likelihood for diabetes mellitus. The triglyceride to glucose index (TyG) and triglyceride to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio (TG/HDL-c) have been proposed as reliable and simple alternatives for the evaluation of insulin resistance. To date, there was limited data regarding the TyG index and TG/HDL-c ratio in the perinatal period of neonates. We aimed to investigate the possible relationships between HOMA-IR, TyG index, and TG/HDL-c in the cord blood of neonates.

MATERIALS-METHODS

One hundred and six pregnant women with singleton gestation who gave birth to full-term, normal-weight Turkish neonates without fetal distress were included in the study. The samples of maternal serum and cord blood in neonates were obtained after delivery.

RESULTS

Mean TyG index was 3.71 ± 0.38 and the mean TG/HDL-c ratio was 3.12 ± 3.00 in this group. Correlations were found between maternal age and neonate glucose levels and HOMA-IR (p < .05). HOMA-IR was negatively correlated with triglyceride, TG/HDL-c ratio, TyG index + TG/HDL, and positively correlated with HDL and TyG index.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study indicates that the TyG index and TG/HDL-C may be used as an indicator of insulin sensitivity in the perinatal period of neonates. However, the validity of these results should be tested in other centers with a larger neonate population in order to evaluate whether ethnic and racial diversity influence these relationships.

Effect of metformin in addition to an antenatal diet and lifestyle intervention on fetal growth and adiposity: the GRoW randomised trial

BACKGROUND

The infants born to women who are overweight or obese in pregnancy are at an increased risk of being born macrosomic or large for gestational age. Antenatal dietary and lifestyle interventions have been shown to be ineffective at reducing this risk. Our aim was to examine the effects of metformin in addition to a diet and lifestyle intervention on fetal growth and adiposity among women with a BMI above the healthy range.

METHODS

Women who had a body mass index ≥25 kg/m² in early pregnancy, and a singleton gestation, were enrolled in the GRoW trial from three public maternity hospitals in metropolitan Adelaide. Women were invited to have a research ultrasounds at 28 and 36 weeks' gestation at which ultrasound measures of fetal biometry and adiposity were obtained. Fetal biometry z-scores and trajectories were calculated. Measurements and calculations were compared between treatment groups. This secondary analysis was pre-specified.

RESULTS

Ultrasound data from 511 women were included in this analysis. The difference in femur length at 36 weeks' gestation was (0.07 cm, 95% CI 0.01-0.14 cm, p = 0.019) and this was was statistically significant, however the magnitude of effect was small. Differences between treatment groups for all other fetal biometry measures, z-scores, estimated fetal weight, and adiposity measures at 28 and 36 weeks' gestation were similar.

CONCLUSIONS

The addition of metformin to dietary and lifestyle advice in pregnancy for overweight and obese women has no clinically relevant effect on ultrasound measures of fetal biometry or adiposity.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

Australian and New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry ( ACTRN12612001277831 ).

Maternal obesity adversely affects early breastfeeding in a multicultural, multi-socioeconomic Melbourne community

BACKGROUND

Maternal breastfeeding support and maternal obesity are concerns effectively addressed at the community level. International, national and regional surveys have established that elevated maternal body mass index (BMI) is a risk factor for early cessation of breastfeeding. However, the extent of these concerns in the local community is often an unknown and related to variables such as socioeconomic status, education, culture and ethnicity.

AIMS

We believed that a survey of post-natal breastfeeding and BMI status would provide a valuable insight into developing targeted local health initiatives.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In 2014, we teamed up with the Whittlesea Maternal and Child Health Service to complete a questionnaire of mothers and babies attending the eight-week infant review. Data included: infant and maternal weight, medical conditions, breastfeeding experience and satisfaction, prime language, education level, support.

RESULTS

Maternal obesity at eight weeks postpartum was high at 28.9%, with 63.6% of mothers being overweight or obese. Obesity was associated with a lack of higher education (P < 0.05) and with English as the prime language (P < 0.05). Breastfeeding initiation was high across all BMI categories at 98.3%. By eight weeks, 32.2% of mothers had ceased breastfeeding. Breastfeeding continuation at eight weeks was negatively correlated with elevated BMI (P < 0.01). Breastfeeding cessation in mothers with elevated BMI correlated with psycho-social concerns (P < 0.05) and lack of previous breastfeeding experience (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSION

Elevated maternal BMI is prevalent in our community and significantly impacts the success of breastfeeding in the early post-natal period. The survey data have allowed targeted health responses to be developed.

Guideline No. 391-Pregnancy and Maternal Obesity Part 1: Pre-conception and Prenatal Care

OBJECTIVE

This guideline will review key aspects in the pregnancy care of women with obesity. Part I will focus on pre-conception and pregnancy care. Part II will focus on team planning for delivery and Postpartum Care.

INTENDED USERS

All health care providers (obstetricians, family doctors, midwives, nurses, anaesthesiologists) who provide pregnancy-related care to women with obesity.

TARGET POPULATION

Women with obesity who are pregnant or planning pregnancies.

EVIDENCE

Literature was retrieved through searches of Statistics Canada, Medline, and The Cochrane Library on the impact of obesity in pregnancy on antepartum and intrapartum care, maternal morbidity and mortality, obstetrical anaesthesia, and perinatal morbidity and mortality. Results were restricted to systematic reviews, randomized controlled trials/controlled clinical trials, and observational studies. There were no date or language restrictions. Searches were updated on a regular basis and incorporated in the guideline to September 2018. Grey (unpublished) literature was identified through searching the websites of health technology assessment and related agencies, clinical practice guideline collections, clinical trial registries, and national and international medical specialty societies.

VALIDATION METHODS

The content and recommendations were drafted and agreed upon by the authors. Then the Maternal-Fetal Medicine Committee peer reviewed the content and submitted comments for consideration, and the Board of the Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada (SOGC) approved the final draft for publication. Areas of disagreement were discussed during meetings, at which time consensus was reached. The level of evidence and quality of the recommendation made were described using the Evaluation of Evidence criteria of the Canadian Task Force on Preventive Health Care.

BENEFITS, HARMS, AND COSTS

Implementation of the recommendations in these guidelines may increase obstetrical provider recognition of the issues affected pregnant individuals with obesity, including clinical prevention strategies, communication between the health care team, the patient and family as well as equipment and human resource planning. It is hoped that regional, provincial and federal agencies will assist in the education and support of coordinated care for pregnant individuals with obesity.

GUIDELINE UPDATE

SOGC guidelines will be automatically reviewed 5 years after publication. However, authors can propose another review date if they feel that 5 years is too short/long based on their expert knowledge of the subject matter.

SPONSORS

This guideline was developed with resources funded by the SOGC.

SUMMARY STATEMENTS

RECOMMENDATIONS.

Gestational Weight Gain-Re-Examining the Current Paradigm

Our aim was to investigate the underlying assumptions of the current gestational weight gain (GWG) paradigm, specifically that—(1) GWG is modifiable through diet and physical activity; (2) optimal GWG and risk of excess GWG, vary by pre-pregnancy body mass index (BMI) category and (3) the association between GWG and adverse pregnancy outcomes is causal. Using data from three large, harmonized randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of interventions to limit GWG and improve pregnancy outcomes and with appropriate regression models, we investigated the link between diet and physical activity and GWG; the relationships between pre-pregnancy BMI, GWG and birth weight z-score; and the evidence for a causal relationship between GWG and pregnancy outcomes. We found little evidence that diet and physical activity in pregnancy affected GWG and that the observed relationships between GWG and adverse pregnancy outcomes are causal in nature. Further, while there is evidence that optimal GWG may be lower for women with higher BMI, target ranges defined by BMI categories do not accurately reflect risk of adverse outcomes. Our findings cast doubt upon current advice regarding GWG, particularly for overweight and obese women and suggest that a change in focus is warranted.