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. 2001 Mar;91(3):436–440. doi: 10.2105/ajph.91.3.436

Pregnancy complications and outcomes among overweight and obese nulliparous women.

J M Baeten 1, E A Bukusi 1, M Lambe 1
PMCID: PMC1446581  PMID: 11236410

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: This study examined the associations between prepregnancy weight and the risk of pregnancy complications and adverse outcomes among nulliparous women. METHODS: We conducted a population-based cohort study with 96,801 Washington State birth certificates from 1992 to 1996. Women were categorized by body mass index. Multivariate logistic regression was performed. RESULTS: The rate of occurrence of most of the outcomes increased with increasing body mass index category. Compared with lean women, both overweight and obese women had a significantly increased risk for gestational diabetes, preeclampsia, eclampsia, cesarean delivery, and delivery of a macrosomic infant. CONCLUSIONS: Among nulliparous women, not only prepregnancy obesity but also overweight increases the risk of pregnancy complications and adverse pregnancy outcomes.

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Selected References

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