Effect of maternal BMI on labor outcomes in primigravida pregnant women

Predictive models for intrapartum maternal fever: Development and validation of pre-analgesia and labor process indicators

Combined spinal-epidural anesthesia is effective for labor pain relief but is associated with increased rates of intrapartum maternal fever, which can negatively impact maternal and neonatal outcomes. This study aimed to develop and validate 2 predictive models: one to assess the risk of fever before labor analgesia (model B) and another to evaluate the risk of fever throughout the labor process (model W). This retrospective case-control study was conducted at Chengdu Jinjiang District Maternal & Child Health Hospital, including 2783 parturients who received labor analgesia between January 2021 and March 2022. Stepwise logistic regression was used to identify clinical predictive indicators, followed by multivariate logistic regression to determine intrapartum fever predictors. Model performance was assessed using the Hosmer-Lemeshow test and areas under the receiver operating characteristic curves (AUROCs). A total of 2276 patients were included in the development cohort and 507 in the validation cohort. Optimal predictors for model B included primiparity, neutrophil count, anemia, estimated fetal weight, body surface area, and cervical dilation before analgesia. For model W, predictors included height, primiparity, anemia, neutrophil count, estimated fetal weight, total duration of labor, and time from rupture of membranes to delivery. AUROCs for models B and W were 0.698 and 0.740, respectively; external validation showed AUROCs of 0.703 and 0.797. In conclusion, model B effectively predicts fever risk before labor analgesia, though its predictive efficiency is lower than model W, which better predicts fever risk after analgesia. The combination of these 2 models will aid in the early identification and management of high-risk parturients, thereby reducing the incidence of intrapartum fever and improving maternal and neonatal outcomes.

Peripartum and Perinatal Outcomes in Pregnant Women with Elevated Preconceptional Body Mass Index in a Maternity Hospital (Care Level IV)

Introduction

Preconception obesity is a risk factor for pregnancy and delivery, which is why giving birth in a perinatal center (care levels I and II) is recommended. There are currently no studies which have investigated the birth outcomes of obese patients based on the care level of the maternity hospital. This study aims to assess the effect of a higher body mass index prior to conception on maternal and fetal outcomes in a maternity hospital (care level IV).

Patients and Methods

A total of 5616 pregnant women who gave birth between 2016 and 2023 were investigated in this retrospective cohort study, after taking the inclusion and exclusion criteria into account. Primary outcome parameter of this study was the transfer of the neonate to a neonatal intensive care unit. Other target parameters were the need to induce labor, delivery mode, Apgar score and pH value, and the incidence of complications (shoulder dystocia, higher-degree perineal tears, or peripartum hemorrhage).

Results

Overweight and obesity were associated with a higher rate of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy and gestational diabetes and were accompanied by higher rates of induction of labor and elective and secondary caesarean sections. Maternal outcome parameters such as intrapartum fever, preterm placental abruption, uterine rupture, higher-degree birth injuries and peripartum hemorrhage did not occur significantly more often in obese pregnant women. Fetal outcome parameters such as Apgar score and pH value did not differ from those reported for normal-weight pregnant women. Multivariate regression analysis showed a high risk of transfer to a neonatal intensive care unit (OR = 1.97; p = 0.035) for neonates born to women in obesity class II (BMI 35-39.9 kg/m 2 ), women with gestational diabetes (OR = 1.71; p = 0.033), and nulliparous women (OR = 1.59; p = 0.005).

Conclusion

Obesity class II is associated with a slightly higher risk of transfer of the neonate to a pediatric intensive care unit but is not associated with worse Apgar scores or pH values. Pregnant women with a body mass index between 35 and 40 kg/m 2 should be informed of this and should consider giving birth in a facility with a neonatal department (care level I-III).

The dynamic nexus: exploring the interplay of BMI before, during, and after pregnancy with Metabolic Syndrome (MetS) risk in Chinese lactating women

BACKGROUND AND AIM

The health implications of BMI and MetS in lactating women are significant. This study aims to investigate the relationship between risk of Mets in lactation and BMI in four stages: pre-pregnancy, prenatal period, 42 days postpartum, and current lactation.

METHODS AND RESULTS

A total of 1870 Lactating Women within 2 years after delivery were included from "China Child and Lactating Mother Nutrition Health Surveillance (2016-2017)". Logistic regression model and Restricted cubic spline (RCS) were used to estimate the relationship between BMI and risk of MetS. ROC analysis was used to determine the threshold for the risk of MetS. Chain mediating effect analysis was used to verify the mediating effect. BMI of MetS group in all stages were higher than non-MetS group (P < 0.0001). There were significant positive correlations between BMI in each stage and ORs of MetS during lactation (P < 0.05). The best cut-off values for BMI in the four stages were 23.47, 30.49, 26.04 and 25.47 kg/m2. The non-linear spline test at BMI in 42 days postpartum, current and MetS in lactation was statistically significant (P non-linear = 0.0223, 0.0003). The mediation effect of all chains have to work through lactation BMI. The total indirect effect accounted for 80.95% of the total effect.

CONCLUSIONS

The risk of MetS in lactating women is due to a high BMI base before pregnancy and postpartum. High BMI in all stages of pregnancy and postpartum were risk factors for MetS in lactation. BMI during lactation plays a key role in the risk of MetS.

Predicting cesarean delivery among gravidas with morbid obesity-a machine learning approach

BACKGROUND

Women with obesity have higher rates of complications following cesarean delivery, such as wound infection and endometritis, with risks being the highest if a cesarean delivery is performed after labor. Previous efforts at predicting whether a patient's labor course would ultimately result in cesarean delivery have been intermediate with area under the curve in the 0.75 to 78 range.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to assess whether machine learning algorithms would outperform traditional modeling in developing a cesarean delivery prediction model among gravidas with morbid obesity (body mass index of ≥40 kg/m2) to determine whether a primary cesarean delivery may be beneficial.

STUDY DESIGN

This was a secondary analysis of a retrospective cohort of 1298 patients with morbid obesity presenting for vaginal delivery at ≥37 weeks of gestation between 2011 and 2016 at a single institution. Data available at the time of admission and delivery were modeled using logistic regression, decision tree, random forest, and support vector modeling with evaluation of area under the curve, accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity.

RESULTS

Logistic regression demonstrated an area under the curve of 0.816 (95% confidence interval, 0.810-0.817), which was superior to machine learning models when evaluating data at the time of delivery (demographic data, initial cervical examinations, comorbidities, and obstetrical interventions) (P<.001). However, there was no significant difference between most machine learning models and logistic regression area under the curve of 0.799 (95% confidence interval, 0.795-0.804) when evaluating parameters available at the time of admission (demographic data, initial cervical examinations, and comorbidities). Race was noted to be a significant predictor in both models (P<.001).

CONCLUSION

Machine learning and traditional modeling techniques are likely equivalent concerning cesarean delivery prediction in this population. The models developed showed good discrimination and may be used to guide clinical decision-making concerning the optimal mode of delivery.

Perinatal Outcome in Overweight Women: An Audit

BACKGROUND

Obesity in pregnancy is associated with a myriad of well-documented complications. However, the outcomes of pregnancy in overweight females, who are not classified as obese, have not been studied. The aim of the study was to assess foeto-maternal outcomes in primigravida who are overweight and compare them to normal-weight patients.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

This was a prospective observational cohort study and included primigravida with full-term gestation (between 38 and 42 weeks), with a single live foetus in vertex presentation, who were admitted for labour induction. Based on pre-pregnancy weight, patients were divided into normal weight (body mass index, BMI<23kg/m2) and overweight (BMI≥23kg/m2 and<25kg/m2) categories labelled as groups A and B, respectively. Data was collected for gestational age, demographics (age, education, occupation), and obstetric and labour-related parameters per pre-designed proforma. Parameters included were the reason for induction, number of doses of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) gel used, duration of labour, induction to delivery interval, and mode of birth- operative/ non-operative. Data was also collected for peri-partum maternal complications, neonatal Apgar score, and need for Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) admissions.

RESULTS

One hundred and fifty patients were recruited in the study and divided based on weight into two groups- 115 in Group A (normal weight) and 35 in Group B (overweight). Compared to Group A, a higher proportion of patients in Group B needed a third dose of PGE2 gel (n=24, 20.8% vs n=18, 51.4%). Also, more patients in Group B had an induction to delivery time of longer than 30 hours (n=7, 20% vs n=5, 4.3%) and had a higher incidence of failed induction needing caesarean section (n=9, 25.7% vs n=13, 11.3%). Neonates born to overweight mothers had a poor Apgar score at 1 min. However, on reassessment, Apgar improved at 5 minutes, and no statistically significant difference was seen for admission to NICU- 5.7% (n=2) in Group B vs 1.7% (n=2) in Group A Conclusion: Pregnancy in overweight females is associated with prolonged labour, higher instances of failed induction, and poor neonatal outcomes at initial assessment. Thus, perinatal counselling and management should focus on weight control while also planning appropriate strategies for monitoring and treating pregnancy-related complications if weight control measures fail. Although obesity is the main focus of research, we suggest including overweight but non-obese females in such studies as they have similar adverse outcomes and complications.

Maternal and fetal outcomes after bariatric surgeries

INTRODUCTION

Obesity is the most common medical problem affecting reproductive-age women. To detect the prevalence of obesity, and bariatric surgeries (BSs) in reproductive-age women, and the impact of obesity vs. BSs on the subsequent pregnancy outcomes.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Obese-pregnant women, and women underwent BSs before the current pregnancy, with complete antenatal, and delivery records were included in the current study. Collected data were analyzed using MedCalc 20.106 to calculate the odd ratio (OR), and relative risk (RR) of adverse maternal, and fetal outcomes in relation to maternal obesity vs. BSs.

RESULTS

Data of 14,474 pregnant women were collected during this study; 33.94% (4912/14474) of them were obese, and 3.8% (546/14474) of them had previous BSs before the current pregnancy. The obese group has significantly higher odds, and RR of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) [OR 1.9 (p = 0.0001), and RR 1.79 (p = 0.0001)], gestational hypertension [OR 1.7 (p = 0.0002), and RR 1.6 (p = 0.0003)], and preeclampsia (PE) [OR 1.7 (p = 0.0001), and RR 1.6 (p = 0.0001)] compared to BSs group. The obese group has also significantly higher odds, and RR of cesarean sections (CSs) [OR 1.3 (p = 0.008), and RR 1.25 (p = 0.01)], and large for gestational age [OR 1.39 (p = 0.01), and RR 1.3 (p = 0.02)] compared to BSs group.

CONCLUSIONS

About 33.94% of the reproductive-age women in Kuwait are obese, and 3.8% of them had previous BSs. Obese-pregnant women are at increased risks of GDM, gestational hypertension, PE, and CSs. Bariatric surgeries reduced the rates of GDM, gestational hypertension, PE, and CSs significantly.