The relationship between Body Mass Index (BMI) and birth weight and some pregnancy outcomes

Recent studies have shown that high or low maternal weight before pregnancy is associated with pregnancy and neonatal complications. Birth weight is one of the most important indicators of growth in neonates. Therefore, this study was performed with aim to determine the association between maternal early pregnancy body mass index with some complications of pregnancy and birth weight.
This cross-sectional study was performed on 1642 pregnant women referred to the hospitals and maternities of 21 cities which were covered by Mashhad University of Medical Sciences in 2014. Data related to mother and neonate were collected through the questionnaire and hospital records. Data were analyzed by SPSS software (version 19) and Chi- square and Mann-Whitney tests. P
Early pregnancy body mass index showed that 119 mothers (5.6%) were weight loss, 942 (44.5%) natural, 426 (20.1%) overweight and 155 (7.3%) were obese. Mean body mass index was 23.9 ± 4.2 with minimum of 13.49 and maximum of 39.06 Kg/m2. Birth weight was significantly influenced by early pregnancy BMI. The frequency of macrosomia was significantly higher in obese mothers, also increased early pregnancy BMI led to increased stillbirth and caesarean section (P Abnormal BMI can lead to complications in mothers and fetuses. So, assessment of weight and body mass index before pregnancy and at the first visit and providing training and nutritional counseling and required care can play an important role to prevent complications and provide maternal and neonatal health.