What does this research mean for the field?

Both maternal undernutrition and obesity during pregnancy significantly increase the risk of obstetric and neonatal complications, such as preterm delivery and macrosomia, compared to a normal body mass index. Novelty: ClaimNovelty.CONFIRMATORY. Consensus alignment: ConsensusAlignment.NEUTRAL.

What question did this study set out to answer?

This study aims to evaluate the correlation between body mass index (BMI) during pregnancy and maternal and neonatal outcomes.

June 7, 2026Open Access

Study of Body Mass Index in Pregnancy and Its Effect on Maternal and Birth Outcomes

Key Points

This study aims to evaluate the correlation between body mass index (BMI) during pregnancy and maternal and neonatal outcomes.
Retrospective observational study conducted at a rural tertiary care center in Gujarat over 6 months in 2022.
Included 300 pregnant women with singleton, cephalic, uncomplicated pregnancies and stratified BMI into WHO categories.
Analyzed maternal and neonatal outcomes based on BMI classifications.
73% of participants had normal BMI; underweight mothers showed significantly higher rates of anemia (61.5%), preterm delivery (76%), PROM (76%), IUGR (57%), and NICU admissions (76.9%).
Obese and overweight groups demonstrated higher rates of macrosomia, cesarean deliveries, and labor induction.
Normal BMI was linked to the most favorable pregnancy outcomes.

Abstract

Background: Maternal nutrition status, reflected through body mass index (BMI), plays a vital role in predicting obstetric and neonatal outcomes.Extremes of BMI are associated with a spectrum of complications ranging from anemia and intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) to macrosomia and increased lower segment cesarean section (LSCS) delivery rates.This study aims to evaluate the correlation between BMI during pregnancy and associated maternal and neonatal outcomes in a rural Indian population.Methods: A retrospective observational study was conducted at a rural tertiary care center in Gujarat over a 6-month period in 2022.Three hundred pregnant women with singleton, cephalic, uncomplicated pregnancies were included.BMI was calculated, and participants were stratified into WHO-based categories.Maternal and neonatal outcomes were analyzed accordingly.Results: Most participants had a normal BMI (73%), followed by overweight (16%), underweight (8.6%), and obese (2.3%).Underweight mothers demonstrated significantly higher rates of anemia (61.5%), preterm delivery (76%), premature rupture of membrane (PROM) (76%), IUGR (57%), and NICU admissions (76.9%).Obese and overweight groups exhibited elevated rates of macrosomia, cesarean deliveries, and labor induction.Normal BMI was associated with the most favorable pregnancy outcomes.Conclusion: Both undernutrition and obesity contribute to increased obstetric and neonatal complications.Preconception BMI optimization through community-level education and pre-pregnancy counseling should be prioritized to improve maternal health outcomes.

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