A study of Maternal BMI as Determinant of Pregnancy & Perinatal Outcomes in Hazaribagh Medical College and Hospital, Hazaribagh.

Introduction: Maternal nutrition plays an important role in maternal and fetal outcomes. The lowmaternal BMI or Obesity are both associated with adverse outcomes. Objectives: To evaluate theimpact of the maternal body mass index on the pregnancy outcome and neonatal outcomes.Materials and Methods: This is a prospective cohort study in which a total of 200 patients meetingthe inclusion criteria were enrolled in the study after informed consent of which 100 patientsenrolled after 18 weeks of gestation had a low BMI and 100 patients with a higher BMI than normal.Results: Pregnant females having low BMI as baseline had more risk of IUGR, fetal distress and lowbirth weight in newborns while those having high maternal BMI had more incidence of PIH inmothers, oligohydramnios, increased birth weight, increased risk of LSCS and NICU admissions anddelayed maternal wound healing. Conclusion: The health of women, throughout their childbearingages, should be cared, to improve their obstetrical and perinatal outcomes. Also, the high-riskgroups should be managed properly.