Effect of maternal underweight on fetal outcome

Introduction and Aim: Nutritional state of the mother before and during pregnancy is one of the important determinants along with factors like pre-pregnancy BMI, weight gain during pregnancy and gestational age which determines pregnancy outcome. Adequate gestational weight gain contributes for better pregnancy outcomes in both mother and infants for short- and long-term health. Materials and Methods: This is an observational study conducted retrospectively over a year comprised 300 pregnant subjects in their second trimester. Incidence of anemia, preterm labour, intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR) and neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) admission were compared in women with various Body Mass index (BMI). Analysis of the data was done using SPSS version 13 using chi square test and p ? 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: Out of 300 subjects, 79 developed anemia, among these 64(81%) were in the underweight category. 49 cases had a preterm delivery, out of these 49 cases, about 37(75.5%) belonged to the underweight BMI category. 39 cases delivered an intra-uterine growth retarded baby. Out of these 39 cases, about 25 (64.1%) belonged to the underweight BMI category. 56 neonates required intensive care unit (NICU) admission, of which 41 (73.2%) neonates born for underweight BMI mothers. Conclusion: The high proportions of underweight pregnancies in this study reflects the poor nutritional status. Adverse effects of maternal low body mass index target the fetus. Adequate weight gain of pregnant woman is an extremely important factor for the fetal outcome.