Big Baby? Expectant Mothers Should Monitor BMI Increase During Pregnancy

Main Category: Pregnancy / Obstetrics
Also Included In: Obesity / Weight Loss / Fitness
Article Date: 11 Nov 2008 - 5:00 PST

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Expectant mothers whose body mass index (BMI) increases 25 percent or more during pregnancy are more likely to give birth to big babies. Analyzing data from 186 deliveries at Eisenhower Army Medical Center, researchers found that 86.2 percent of those babies whose birth weight was above the 90th percentile (4000 grams or 8 pounds 13 ounces) had mothers whose BMI increased 25 percent or more during pregnancy, compared with 6.6 percent of the mothers with normal-weight infants. After adjusting for other maternal characteristics, they found the odds of giving birth to a high-birth-weight baby were more than 200 times higher among mothers whose BMI increased at least 25 percent. The researchers conclude that given the considerable complications associated with delivering high-birth-weight babies, having an indicator that helps diagnose the condition may allow clinicians to make better choices regarding timing and mode of delivery, as well as prepare for emergencies. They call for future studies in larger more heterogeneous populations.

Percentage Change in Antenatal Body Mass Index as a Predictor of Neonatal Macrosomia
By Chad A. Asplund, M.D., et al
Eisenhower Army Medical Center, Fort Gordon, Georgia

Annals of Family Medicine - November/December 2008

The Annals of Family Medicine is a new peer-reviewed research journal to meet the needs of scientists, practitioners, policymakers, and the patients and communities they serve. The Annals of Family Medicine is dedicated to advancing knowledge essential to understanding and improving health and primary care. The Annals supports a learning community of those who generate and use information about health and generalist health care.

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Angela Sharma
American Academy of Family Physicians