Maternal pre-pregnancy BMI and adverse pregnancy outcomes among Chinese women: Results from the C-ABCS

Association of prepregnancy body mass index and gestational weight gain trajectory with adverse pregnancy outcomes-a prospective cohort study in Shanghai

OBJECTIVES

The objective was to investigate the associations of maternal prepregnancy body mass index (BMI) and gestational weight gain (GWG) trajectories with adverse pregnancy outcomes (APOs).

DESIGN

This was a prospective cohort study.

SETTING

This study was conducted in Shanghai Pudong New Area Health Care Hospital for Women and Children, Shanghai, China.

PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOME MEASURES

A cohort study involving a total of 2174 pregnant women was conducted. Each participant was followed to record weekly weight gain and pregnancy outcomes. The Institute of Medicine classification was used to categorise prepregnancy BMI, and four GWG trajectories were identified using a latent class growth model.

RESULTS

The adjusted ORs for the risks of large for gestational age (LGA), macrosomia, gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP) were significantly greater for women with prepregnancy overweight/obesity (OR=1.77, 2.13, 1.95 and 4.24; 95% CI 1.3 to 2.42, 1.32 to 3.46, 1.43 to 2.66 and 2.01 to 8.93, respectively) and lower for those who were underweight than for those with normal weight (excluding HDP) (OR=0.35, 0.27 and 0.59; 95% CI 0.22 to 0.53, 0.11 to 0.66 and 0.36 to 0.89, respectively). The risk of small for gestational age (SGA) and low birth weight (LBW) was significantly increased in the underweight group (OR=3.11, 2.20; 95% CI 1.63 to 5.92, 1.10 to 4.41; respectively) compared with the normal-weight group; however, the risk did not decrease in the overweight/obese group (p=0.942, 0.697, respectively). GWG was divided into four trajectories, accounting for 16.6%, 41.4%, 31.7% and 10.3% of the participants, respectively. After adjustment for confounding factors, the risk of LGA was 1.54 times greater for women in the slow GWG trajectory group than for those in the extremely slow GWG trajectory group (95% CI 1.07 to 2.21); the risk of SGA and LBW was 0.37 times and 0.46 times lower for women in the moderate GWG trajectory group and 0.14 times and 0.15 times lower for women in the rapid GWG trajectory group, respectively; the risk of macrosomia and LGA was 2.65 times and 2.70 times greater for women in the moderate GWG trajectory group and 3.53 times and 4.36 times greater for women in the rapid GWG trajectory group, respectively; and the women in the other three trajectory groups had a lower risk of GDM than did those in the extremely slow GWG trajectory group, but there was not much variation in the ORs. Notably, different GWG trajectories did not affect the risk of HDP.

CONCLUSIONS

As independent risk factors, excessively high and low prepregnancy BMI and GWG can increase the risk of APOs.

Pre-pregnancy body mass index, gestational diabetes mellitus, and gestational weight gain: individual and combined effects on fetal growth

Background

Pre-pregnancy body mass index (BMI), gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), and gestational weight gain (GWG) are interlinked and may play a complex role in fetal growth. We aimed to examine the relationship between pre-pregnancy BMI, GDM, GWG, and fetal growth outcomes and explore the contribution of GDM and GWG to the relationship between Pre-pregnancy obesity/overweight and large-for-gestational-age (LGA) in a prospective cohort.

Methods

We prospectively recruited women in the first trimester and having one-step GDM screened with a 75-g oral glucose tolerance test between 24 and 28 weeks of gestation (n = 802). Outcomes included LGA, small-for-gestational-age (SGA), and preterm birth. To assess the individual and cumulative associations between pre-pregnancy BMI, GDM, GWG, and these outcomes, we used multivariate logistic regression analysis. Furthermore, we employed structural equation modeling (SEM) to investigate the mediating role of GDM and excessive GWG in the correlation between pre-pregnancy overweight/obesity and LGA.

Results

Pre-pregnancy obesity, GDM, and excessive GWG were all independently associated with increased odds of LGA. Inadequate GWG was associated with higher odds of preterm birth. Compared with women unexposed to pre-pregnancy overweight/obesity, GDM, or excessive GWG, women exposed any two conditions had higher odds for LGA (AOR 3.18, 95% CI 1.25-8.11) and women with coexistence of all had the highest odds for LGA (AOR 8.09, 95% CI 2.18-29.97). The mediation analysis showed that GDM explained 18.60% (p < 0.05) of the total effect of pre-pregnancy overweight/obesity on LGA, and GWG explained 17.44% (p < 0.05) of the total effect.

Conclusion

Pre-pregnancy obesity/overweight, GDM, and excessive GWG are associated with higher odds of fetal growth disturbances as individual factors and when they co-exist. The effect of pre-pregnancy overweight/obesity on LGA is partially achieved through GDM and excessive GWG.

Impact of prepregnancy body mass index on adverse pregnancy outcomes: analysis from the Longitudinal Indian Family hEalth cohort study

BACKGROUND

Both high and low maternal prepregnancy body mass index can lead to suboptimal fetal growth and risk of pregnancy complications. In developed countries, nearly half of all women of childbearing age are either overweight or obese, and most data linking maternal body mass index and adverse pregnancy complications are limited to these populations.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to prospectively evaluate the relationships between prepregnancy body mass index and adverse pregnancy outcomes using the Longitudinal Indian Family hEalth (LIFE) study.

STUDY DESIGN

We modeled the relationships between prepregnancy body mass index and adverse pregnancy outcomes such as low birthweight, preterm birth, cesarean delivery, intrauterine growth restriction, miscarriage, and fetal death among 675 women aged 15 to 35 years with singleton pregnancies in the Longitudinal Indian Family hEalth study, a population-based prospective pregnancy cohort study conducted in Telangana, India. Prepregnancy body mass index was calculated as weight in kilograms divided by height in meters squared and was classified into 4 categories using the World Health Organization recommendations for Asian adults. Prepregnancy body mass index was assessed at a mean of 12.3 months before pregnancy. Odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals of adverse pregnancy outcomes were modeled and adjusted for confounders.

RESULTS

Obese women had a 3-fold increased risk of cesarean delivery (odds ratio, 3.13; 95% confidence interval, 1.56-6.29) compared with normal-weight women. Those who were overweight also had a marginally increased risk of cesarean delivery, albeit not statistically significant (odds ratio, 1.17; 95% confidence interval, 0.61-2.24). Underweight women had a modestly increased risk of low birthweight, compared with normal-weight women (odds ratio, 1.12; 95% confidence interval, 0.71-1.77), although results were not significant. Conversely, obese (odds ratio, 0.71; 95% confidence interval, 0.28-1.77) and overweight (odds ratio, 0.61; 95% confidence interval, 0.24-1.51) women had a marginally decreased risk of low birthweight.

CONCLUSION

Our data suggest that women with elevated prepregnancy body mass index may have a higher risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes, especially cesarean delivery. Although this study has limited generalizability, our findings are generalizable to rural to periurban regions of India. Further studies exploring the translatability of these findings to other populations are needed. In addition, targeted prepregnancy intervention studies and programs that include counseling on optimization of preconception health and lifestyle modification for improvement of subsequent pregnancy outcomes among overweight and obese women are needed.

Induction of labour practices at Botshabelo District Hospital: Assessing the institutional guidelines

Induction of labour (IOL) is defined as an artificial stimulation administered to initiate the delivery process before the onset of spontaneous labour. Setting-adapted guidelines need to be developed to promote safe maternal and neonatal care in line with the needs of a specific institution. This study aimed to describe and assess the current IOL practices at Botshabelo District Hospital, focusing on incidence, indications, induction methods, complications, and outcomes. A retrospective-descriptive study included all relevant data from IOL cases over six months between July and December 2017. From 168 attempted inductions of labour, 153 files were retrieved. The majority of cases (69.7%) were for post-dates. Normal vaginal delivery (NVD) was achieved in most patients (69.3%), while one patient had an assisted delivery. Thus, 30.1% of inductions failed and required caesarean sections. The incidence, indications, methods of induction, complications, and outcomes of IOL in BDH are in line with international guidelines; however, including the sweeping of membranes at term and balloon catheters as methods could improve the current guidelines.

The environmental risk factors prior to conception associated with placental abruption: an umbrella review

BACKGROUND

The present umbrella review evaluated risk factors prior to conception associated with placental abruption based on meta-analyses and systematic reviews.

METHODS

We searched PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science until June 25, 2021. All meta-analyses that had focused on assessing the risk factors associated with placental abruption were included. We calculated summary effect estimates, 95% CI, heterogeneity I², 95% prediction interval, small-study effects, excess significance biases, and sensitive analysis. The quality of the meta-analyses was evaluated with A Measurement Tool to Assess Systematic Reviews 2 (AMSTAR 2).

RESULTS

There was no risk factor in the present umbrella review with the high level of evidence (class I or II). Eight risk factors including maternal asthma (RR 1.29 95% CI 1.14, 1.47), prior cesarean section (RR 1.38, 95% CI 1.35-1.42), cocaine using (RR 4.55, 95% CI 1.78-6.50), endometriosis (OR 1.40, 95% CI 1.12-1.76), chronic hypertension (OR 3.13, 95% CI 2.04-4.80), advanced maternal age (OR 1.44, 95% CI 1.35-1.54), maternal smoking (OR 1.80, 95% CI 1.75-1.85) (RR 1.65, 95% CI 1.51-1.80), and use of assisted reproductive techniques (ART) (OR 1.87, 95% CI 1.70-2.06) were graded as suggestive evidence (class III). The other four risk factors including pre-pregnancy underweight (OR 1.38, 95% CI 1.12-1.70), preeclampsia (OR 1.73, 95% CI 1.47-2.04), uterine leiomyoma (OR 2.63, 95% CI 1.38-3.88), and marijuana use (OR 1.78, 95% CI 1.32-2.40) were graded as risk factors with weak evidence (class IV).

CONCLUSION

Maternal asthma, prior cesarean section, cocaine use, endometriosis, chronic hypertension, advanced maternal age, maternal smoking, and use of ART, pre-pregnancy underweight, preeclampsia, uterine leiomyoma, and marijuana use were risk factors associated with placental abruption. Although factors associated with placental abruption have been investigated, the current meta-analytic associations cannot disentangle the complex etiology of placental abruption mainly due to their low quality of evidence.

Impact of pre-pregnancy body mass index and gestational weight gain on the risk of maternal and infant pregnancy complications in Korean women

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVE

Healthy weight maintenance before and during pregnancy has a significant effect on pregnancy outcomes; however, there are no specific guidelines for gestational weight gain in pregnant Korean women. Therefore, we investigated the impact of pre-pregnancy body mass index (BMI) and gestational weight gain on the risk of maternal and infant pregnancy complications in pregnant Korean women.

METHODS

Study participants comprised 3454 singleton pregnant women from the Korean Pregnancy Outcome Study who had baseline examination and pregnancy outcome data. Maternal pre-pregnancy BMI and gestational weight gain were categorized according to the Asia-pacific regional guidelines and the Institute of Medicine recommendations, respectively. The primary outcome was any adverse outcomes, defined as the presence of one or more of the following: hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, gestational diabetes mellitus, peripartum depressive symptom, cesarean delivery, delivery complications, preterm birth, small or large weight infant, neonatal intensive care unit admission, or a congenital anomaly. Multiple logistic regression models were applied to examine the independent and combined impact of pre-pregnancy BMI and gestational weight gain on the risk of maternal and infant outcomes.

RESULTS

Obesity before pregnancy significantly increased the risk of perinatal adverse outcomes by more than 2.5 times [odds ratio (OR): 2.512, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.817-3.473]. Compared to that in women with appropriate gestational weight gain, women with excessive weight gain had a 36.4% incremental increase in the risk of any adverse outcomes [OR: 1.364, 95% CI: 1.115-1.670]. Moreover, women who were overweight or obese before pregnancy and had excessive gestational weight gain had a three-fold increase in the risk of adverse outcomes [OR: 3.460, 95% CI: 2.210-5.417].

CONCLUSION

This study highlights the need for appropriate weight recommendations before and during pregnancy to prevent perinatal complications in Korean women of childbearing age.

Risk of gestational diabetes mellitus by pre-pregnancy body mass index: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is serious health challenges. This study aimed at determining the risk of GDM among pregnant women by pre-pregnancy BMI. Five electronic databases including Medline (PubMed), Scopus, Embase, Web of Science and Google Scholar were searched for literature published form 2015 to January 1, 2021. The pooled estimate risk of GDM among pregnant women was 16.8% (95% CI: 15.3-18.4). The risk of GDM in underweight/normal group and overweight/obese group were 10.7% (95% CI: 9.1-12.4) and 23% (95% CI: 20.2-25.9), respectively. The risk of GDM is high among overweight/obese pregnant women.

Assessing the relationship between pregravid body mass index and risk of adverse maternal pregnancy and neonatal outcomes: prospective data in Southwest China

The relevance of pregestational body mass index (BMI) on adverse pregnancy outcomes remained unclear in Southwest China. This study aimed to investigate the overall and age-category specific association between pre-gestational BMI and gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), preeclampsia, cesarean delivery, preterm delivery, stillbirth, macrosomia, and small-for-gestational age (SGA) or large-for-gestational age (LGA) neonates in Southwest China. Furthermore, it explores the relative importance of influence of pregravid BMI and maternal age on pregnancy outcomes. 51,125 Chinese singleton pregnant women were recruited as study subjects. Multiple logistic regression models were used to examine the influence of pre-pregnancy BMI on adverse pregnancy outcomes. Gradient boosting machine was used to evaluate the relative importance of influence of pregravid BMI and maternal age on pregnancy outcomes. It is found that women who were overweight or obese before pregnancy are at higher risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes except for SGA neonates, while pre-pregnancy underweight is a protective factor for GDM, preeclampsia, cesarean delivery, macrosomia and LGA, but not SGA. Younger mothers are more susceptible to GDM and macrosomia neonates, while older mothers are more prone to preeclampsia. Pre-pregnancy BMI has more influence on various pregnancy outcomes than maternal age. To improve pregnancy outcomes, normal BMI weight as well as relatively young maternal ages are recommended for women in child-bearing age.

Association of maternal pre-pregnancy low or increased body mass index with adverse pregnancy outcomes

This study investigated the association between pre-pregnancy body mass index (BMI) and adverse pregnancy outcomes among women participated in the National Free Preconception Health Examination Project in Guangdong Province, China, and explored these associations according to maternal age. Pre-pregnancy BMI was classified into underweight (BMI < 18.5 kg/m²), healthy weight (18.5–23.9 kg/m²), overweight (24.0–27.9 kg/m²), and obesity (≥ 28.0 kg/m²) according to Chinese criteria. Outcomes were preterm birth (PTB, delivery before 37 weeks of gestation), large for gestational age (LGA, birthweight above the 90th percentile for gestational age by infants’ sex), small for gestational age (SGA, birthweight below the 10th percentile for gestational age by infants’ sex), primary caesarean delivery, shoulder dystocia or birth injury, and stillbirth. Adjusted incidence risk ratios (aIRR) were calculated for underweight, overweight and obesity, respectively. Compared with healthy weight, underweight was associated with increased risk of PTB (aIRR 1.06, 95%CI 1.04–1.09) and SGA (1.23, 1.22–1.26) but inversely associated with LGA (0.83, 0.82–0.85), primary caesarean delivery (0.88, 0.87–0.90) and stillbirth (0.73, 0.53–0.99). Overweight was associated with increased risk of LGA (1.17, 1.14–1.19), primary caesarean delivery (1.18, 1.16–1.20) and stillbirth (1.44, 1.03–2.06), but inversely associated with SGA (0.92, 0.90–0.95) and shoulder dystocia or birth injury (0.86, 0.79–0.93). Obesity was associated with increased risk of PTB (1.12, 1.05–1.20), LGA (1.32, 1.27–1.37), primary caesarean delivery (1.45, 1.40–1.50), but inversely associated with SGA (0.92, 0.87–0.97). The aIRRs for underweight, overweight and obesity in relation to these adverse pregnancy outcomes ranged from 0.65 to 1.52 according to maternal age. In Chinese population, maternal pre-pregnancy BMI was significantly associated with the risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes and the risk differs according to maternal age. Further investigation is warranted to determine whether and how counselling and interventions for women with low or increased BMI before pregnancy can reduce the risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes.

Associations of early pregnancy BMI with adverse pregnancy outcomes and infant neurocognitive development

The prevalence of overweight and obesity amongst reproductive women has been increasing worldwide. Our aim was to compare pregnancy outcomes and infant neurocognitive development by different BMI classifications and investigate whether early pregnancy BMI was associated with risks of adverse outcomes in a Southwest Chinese population. We analysed data from 1273 women enrolled in the Complex Lipids in Mothers and Babies (CLIMB) randomized controlled trial in Chongqing, China. Maternal BMI was classified as underweight, normal weight and overweight/obese according to the Chinese, WHO Asian, and WHO European standards. For the adverse pregnancy outcomes, after adjustment for potential confounders, an underweight BMI was associated with increased risk of small for gestational age (SGA) babies, and an overweight/obese BMI was associated with increased risk of maternal gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), caesarean section (C-section), macrosomia and large for gestational age (LGA) babies. For infant neurocognitive development, 1017 mothers and their children participated; no significant differences were seen in the Mental Development Index (MDI) or the Psychomotor Development Index (PDI) between the three BMI groups. Our findings demonstrate that abnormal early pregnancy BMI were associated with increased risks of adverse pregnancy outcomes in Chinese women, while early pregnancy BMI had no significant influence on the infant neurocognitive development at 12 months of age.

Incidence and trend of preterm birth in China, 1990-2016: a systematic review and meta-analysis

OBJECTIVES

To update the WHO estimate of preterm birth rate in China in 1990-2016 and to further explore variations by geographic regions and years of occurrence.

DESIGN

Systematic review and meta-analysis.

DATA SOURCES

Pubmed, Embase, Cochrane Library and Sinomed databases were searched from 1990 to 2018.

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

Studies were included if they provided preterm birth data with at least 500 total births. Reviews, case-control studies, intervention studies and studies with insufficient information or published before 1990 were excluded. We estimated pooled incidence of preterm birth by a random effects model, and preterm birth rate in different year, region and by livebirths or all births in subgroup analyses.

RESULTS

Our search identified 3945 records. After the removal of duplicates and screening of titles and abstracts, we reviewed 254 studies in full text and excluded 182, leaving 72 new studies. They were combined with the 82 studies included in the WHO report (154 studies, 187 data sets in total for the meta-analysis), including 24 039 084 births from 1990 to 2016. The pooled incidence of preterm birth in China was 6.09% (95% CI 5.86% to 6.31%) but has been steadily increasing from 5.36% (95% CI 4.89% to 5.84%) in 1990-1994 to 7.04% (95% CI 6.09% to 7.99%) in 2015-2016. The annual rate of increase was about 1.05% (95% CI 0.85% to 1.21%). Northwest China appeared to have the highest preterm birth rate (7.3%, 95% CI 4.92% to 9.68% from 1990 to 2016).

CONCLUSIONS

The incidence of preterm birth in China has been rising gradually in the past three decades. It was 7% in 2016. Preterm birth rate varied by region with the West having the highest occurrence.

Effects of pre-pregnancy body mass index on pregnancy and perinatal outcomes in women with PCOS undergoing frozen embryo transfer

Background

Previous studies have shown that among women with polycystic ovary syndrome who have difficulties conceiving, frozen-embryo transfer resulted in increased live birth rates and decreased ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome risk than did fresh-embryo transfer. In the present retrospective analysis, we sought to determine the effect of body mass index (BMI) on pregnancy and perinatal outcomes in women with PCOS undergoing FET.

Methods

Women with PCOS (n = 1556) undergoing FET were divided into groups based on weight, with those with normal weight having a BMI of 18.5–24.9 kg/m²,those who were overweight having a BMI of 25–29.9 kg/m², and those who were obese having a BMI ≥30 kg/m². Both pregnancy and perinatal outcomes were compared among these groups.

Results

The normal-weight, overweight, or obese groups exhibited similar pregnancy outcomes, including clinical pregnancy rate, miscarriage rate, ongoing pregnancy rate and live birth rate. In singletons, birth characteristics regarding newborn gender, gestational age, birthweight and length at birth were comparable between the three groups. For adverse neonatal outcomes, the three groups showed no significant differences on the rates of low birthweight, very low birthweight, preterm birth, and very preterm birth after adjustment. In addition, the obstetric complications and the frequencies of live-birth defects were also comparable between the three groups except that overweight and obese women were more likely than women of normal weight to have delivered via cesarean section.

Conclusion

BMI did not affect the pregnancy or perinatal outcomes in women with PCOS undergoing FET.

The impact of pre-pregnancy body mass index and gestational weight gain on placental abruption risk: a systematic review and meta-analysis

PURPOSE

The aim of this systematic review was to evaluate the associations between pre-pregnancy body mass index and gestational weight gain and placental abruption.

METHODS

Relevant studies were identified from PubMed, EMBASE, Scopus and CINAHL. Unpublished findings from analyses of linked population-based data sets from Western Australia (2012-2015, n = 114,792) were also included. Studies evaluating pre-pregnancy body mass index and/or gestational weight gain and placental abruption were included. Two independent reviewers evaluated studies for inclusion and quality. Data including odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were extracted and analysed by random effects meta-analysis.

RESULTS

21 studies were included, of which 15 were eligible for meta-analyses. The summary ORs for the association of being underweight, overweight and obese, and placental abruption, compared to normal weight women, were 1.4 (95% CI 1.1, 1.7), 0.8 (95% CI 0.8, 0.9) and 0.8 (95% CI 0.7, 0.9), respectively. These findings remained unchanged when each study was eliminated from the analysis and in subgroup analyses. Although data were scarce, women with gestational weight gain below the Institute of Medicine recommendations appeared to be at greater risk of abruption compared with women who had optimal weight gain.

CONCLUSIONS

Mothers that are underweight prior to or in early pregnancy are at a moderately increased risk of placental abruption.

Pregnancy-Related ICU Admissions From 2008 to 2016 in China: A First Multicenter Report

Objectives:

To identify the key points for improving severe maternal morbidity by analyzing pregnancy-related ICU admissions in Beijing.

Design:

This was a retrospective, multicenter cohort study.

Setting:

Three ICUs in tertiary hospitals in Beijing.

Patients:

A total of 491 severe maternal cases in any trimester of pregnancy or within 42 days of delivery were reviewed between January 1, 2008, and December 31, 2016.

Interventions:

None.

Measurements and Main Results:

Among 491 obstetric ICU admissions (median Sequential Organ Failure Assessment score, 2) out of 87,850 hospital deliveries (a frequency of 5.6 admissions per 1,000 deliveries), the leading diagnoses were postpartum hemorrhage (170; 34.62%), hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (156; 31.77%), and cardio-cerebrovascular diseases (78; 15.9%). Comparing 2008–2011 to 2012–2016, the rates of maternal mortality (2.5% vs 1.9%; p = 0.991) and fetal loss (8.5% vs 8.6%; p = 0.977) did not decrease significantly, whereas the rates of ICU admission (3.05% vs 7.85%; p trends < 0.001) and postpartum hemorrhage (23% vs 38.5%; p = 0.002) increased. Hypertensive disorder (150/156; 96.2% transferred to the ICU postpartum, 24/28 women with fetal loss transferred from lower-level hospitals) was an independent maternal factor associated with fetal loss, and infections were the leading cause of maternal death (6/10) in the ICU.

Conclusions:

Our study highlights the increasing rate of intensive care admissions for postpartum hemorrhage. Improving prenatal care quality for pregnancy-induced hypertension and sepsis at lower-level hospitals may improve maternal and fetal outcomes. Specifically, providing more effective regional cooperation before transfer and shifting patients who require continuous surveillance but not necessarily intensive care to a transitional ward in a tertiary hospital would provide more ICU beds for more prenatal intensive care for the most complex medical conditions.

Effectiveness of Low Glycemic Index Diet Consultations Through a Diet Glycemic Assessment App Tool on Maternal and Neonatal Insulin Resistance: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Background

Low glycemic index (LGI) diet has shown to be effective in reducing maternal and neonatal complications in high-risk pregnancies.

Objective

This trial aimed to examine the effectiveness of individualized LGI diet consultations based on the accurate diet glycemic load (GL) assessment tool on maternal and neonatal insulin resistance levels and diet behavior changes in overweight and obese pregnant women.

Methods

Overweight and obese pregnant women were recruited before 16 weeks of gestation and randomized to the LGI diet arm or the control arm. All participants received standard dietary education according to the Chinese Dietary Guide for Pregnant Women. In the intervention arm, additional individualized dietary GL assessments were performed using an app and instructions of lowering diet glycemic index (GI) to achieve LGI diet were provided by a clinical dietitian at early, middle, and late gestation. Primary outcomes were serum insulin at late gestation, incidence of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) for mothers, and cord blood C-peptide level of neonates.

Results

In total, 400 subjects were randomized and received different interventions. There were no significant differences in maternal serum insulin levels (13.2 [9.3−13.2] uU/mL vs 12.4 [10.5−12.4] uU/mL), incidence of GDM (45 [22.5%] vs 43 [21.5%]), or cord blood C-peptide levels (mean 0.9ng/mL [SD 0.7] vs mean 0.8ng/mL [SD 0.6]) in the intervention group compared with the controls. The diet GI at late gestation was similar (mean 63.2 [SD 10.4] vs mean 64.3 [SD 10.4]), whereas greater diet fiber intake was observed in the intervention group (mean 11.6 grams [SD 8.0] vs mean 9.0 grams [SD 5.6]; P=.006). Adherence measurements did not significantly differ between 2 groups.

Conclusions

Individualized LGI diet consultations for overweight and obese pregnant women failed to make a significant difference in maternal or neonatal insulin resistance compared with the standard gestational diet consultation.

Trial Registration

ClinicalTrials.gov NCT01628835; http://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT01628835 (Archived by WebCite at http://www.webcitation.org/77LHgWP0k)

Maternal body mass index and risk of neonatal adverse outcomes in China: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Maternal body mass index is linked to short- and long-term unfavorable health outcomes both for child and mother. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of population-based cohort studies to evaluate maternal BMI and the risk of harmful neonatal outcomes in China.

METHODS

Six databases identified 2454 articles; 46 met the inclusion criteria for this study. The dichotomous data on maternal BMI and harmful neonatal outcomes were extracted. Pooled statistics (odds ratios, ORs) were derived from Stata/SE, ver. 12.0. Sensitivity analyses assessed the robustness of the results. Meta-regression and subgroup meta-analyses explored heterogeneity.

RESULTS

The meta-analysis revealed that compared with normal BMI, high maternal BMI is associated with fetal overgrowth, defined as macrosomia ≥4000 g (OR 1.91, 95% CI 1.75-2.09); birth weight ≥ 90% for gestational age (OR 1.88, 95% CI 1.64-2.15); and increased risk of premature birth (OR 1.38, 95% CI 1.25-2.52) and neonatal asphyxia (OR 1.74, 95% CI 1.39-2.17). Maternal underweight increased the risk of low birth weight (OR 1.61, 95% CI 1.33-1.93) and small for gestational age (OR 1.75, 95% CI 1.51-2.02).

CONCLUSIONS

Raised as well as low pre-pregnancy BMI is associated with adverse neonatal outcomes. Management of weight during pregnancy might help reduce their adverse neonatal outcomes in future intervention studies or programmes.

Lactoferrin level in breast milk: a study of 248 samples from eight regions in China

Lactoferrin plays an important role in infant gastrointestinal health and immunity responses.

Trend of caesarean deliveries in Egypt and its associated factors: evidence from national surveys, 2005-2014

BACKGROUND

The continued rise in caesarean section (c-section) deliveries raises a major public health concern worldwide. This study assessed the trend of c-section deliveries and examined factors associated with a rise in c-section deliveries among the Egyptian mothers, from 2005 to 2014, by place of delivery.

METHODS

This study utilized the 2005, 2008, and 2014 Egypt Demographic and Health Surveys (EDHS). The EDHS reported on the mode of delivery for the last birth occurred within five years preceding each survey including place of delivery and sociodemographic information for a total sample of over 29,000 mothers in the three surveys. To document trend of c-section, the EDHS-2005 was set as a reference in two binary logistic regression models; among all mothers together and for mothers stratified by place of delivery (public or private). P-value for the trend was assessed by entering the year of the survey as a continuous variable. The study followed STROBE statement in reporting observational studies.

RESULTS

Institutional-based c-sections increased by 40.7 points from EDHS-2005 to EDHS-2014 (aOR, 3.46, 95%CI: 3.15-3.80, P trend  < 0.001). Compared to mothers with low socioeconomic status (SES), mothers with high SES had higher odds (aOR, 1.78, 95%CI: 1.25-2.54, P = 0.001) for c-section, but only in EDHS-2005. The adjusted trend of c-sections was found to be 4.19-time (95%CI: 3.73-4.70, P < 0.001) higher in private sector while that in public sector it was 2.67-time (95%CI: 2.27-3.13, P = 0.001) higher, in EDHS-2014 relative to EDHS-2005. This increase in the private sector is explained by significant increases among mothers who are potentially at low risk for c-sections; mothers aged 19-24 years vs. ≥35 years (aOR: 0.31, 95%CI: 0.21-0.45, in EDHS-2005 vs. 0.43, 95%CI: 0.33-0.56, in EDHS-2014, P < 0.001); primigravida mothers vs. mothers with ≥4 children (aOR: 1.62, 95%CI: 1.12-2.34, in EDHS-2005 vs. 3.76, 95%CI: 2.94-4.80 in EDHS-2014); and among normal compared to high risk birth weight babies (aOR: 0.79, 95%CI: 0.62-0.99 in EDHS-2005 P < 0.05 vs. 0.83, 95%CI: 0.65-1.04 in EDHS-2014, P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Results showed a steady rise in c-sections in Egypt that has reached an alarming level in recent years. This increase appears to be associated with a shift towards delivery in private health care facilities. More vigilance of c-section deliveries, particularly in the private sector, is warranted.

Investigating the association between prepregnancy body mass index and adverse pregnancy outcomes: a large cohort study of 536 098 Chinese pregnant women in rural China

OBJECTIVE

Unhealthy maternal weight before pregnancy increases the risk of various adverse pregnancy outcomes. We conducted a nutrition survey to provide baseline data on the prepregnant nutritional status of mothers in order to better understand the association between prepregnancy maternal body mass index (BMI) and adverse pregnancy outcomes.

DESIGN

A large, prospective, population-based cohort study.

SETTING

Data from the National Free Preconception Health Examination Project (NFPHEP) in China during 2010-2012.

PARTICIPANTS

536 098 pregnant women out of 2 120 131 were evaluated.

PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOME MEASURES

The primary adverse pregnancy outcomes included preterm birth (PTB), low birth weight (LBW), spontaneous miscarriage (SM), ectopic pregnancy (EP) and stillbirth (SB). A χ(2) test was used to compare the prevalence of each BMI category during 2010-2012. Univariable and multiple logistic regression analyses were performed to assess the association between prepregnancy BMI and various adverse pregnancy outcomes.

RESULTS

Between 2010 and 2012, the average BMI decreased from 21.31 to 21.16, while underweight prevalence increased from 10.40% to 14.14%. An age-stratified subgroup analysis indicated that the underweight prevalence increased from 13.52% to 17.02% among women aged 21-24 and from 10.72% to 13.71% among women aged 25-34. Overweight prevalence increased from 9.84% to 10.75% (25-34 years) and from 17.10% to 19.20% (35-49 years). Obesity prevalence increased from 2.17% to 2.42% and from 4% to 4.2% among women aged 25-34 and 35-49 respectively. Prepregnancy underweight was associated with PTB, LBW and SM; overweight women had an increased risk of LBW; obese women had a higher risk of LBW, SM, EP and SB.

CONCLUSIONS

While the average prepregnancy BMI decreased, the prevalence of underweight individuals in a very large population significantly increased. The abnormal prepregnancy BMIs were associated with increased risks of adverse pregnancy outcomes. Most notably, underweight prepregnant women appeared to be at a greater risk of developing adverse pregnancy outcomes in China's rural areas.