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Editorial
. 2020 Sep;15(3):318-326.
doi: 10.26574/maedica.2020.15.3.318.

Obesity and pregnancy

Affiliations
Editorial

Obesity and pregnancy

Cristina Oana Daciana Teodorescu et al. Maedica (Bucur). 2020 Sep.

Abstract

Introduction: Obesity is the most frequent metabolic disturbance that can target women of reproductive age, among other population groups, and when obese pregnant women become patients, it represents a serious risk factor for both mother and fetus. Aim: The aim of this study is to offer an overview of the effects exerted by this disturbance on pregnancy. Materials and methods: The study targets 157 pacients admitted to "Alessandrescu-Rusescu" National Institute for Mother and Child Health - Polizu (INSMC), Bucharest, Romania. In order to define the criterion for obesity, WHO classification (body mass index > 30 kg/m²) was used. Data was collected restrospectively after acceptance by the Ethics Committee. Also, we gathered anthropometric data (weight, body mass index and analysis regarding the metabolic profile, including total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, triglyceride, blood sugar, glycosylated haemoglobin) from all subjects. Each analysis was correlated with each patient's body mass index. Another correlation was made between metabolic profile, antenatal complications and onset of gestational diabetes and premature birth. Statistical analysis was conducted using GraphPad 8 and MedCalc 14.1. Results: Patients had an average body weight of 66.75 kg with a standard deviation of 12.99 kg and a median of 64 kg. Average body mass index was 25.05 kg/m², with a standard deviation of 5,03 kg/m² and a median of 24.2 kg/m². There is a directly proportional and statistically significative correlation between the values of blood sugar, glycosylated haemoglobin, LDL, TG, uric acid and BMI. Also, there is a inversely proportional and statistically significative correlation between the values of HDL and BMI. The CT/HDL ratio, low HDL level and elevated LDL level are the main risk factors for premature birth, while the CT/HDL ratio, low HDL level and elevated TG are the main risk factors for the onset of gestational diabetes. Conclusions: According to the results of this study, the onset of obesity in pregnant woman is rather dependent on each patient's metabolic profile than body weight.

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Figures

FIGURE 1.
FIGURE 1.
Gaussian curve representing the body weight of pregnant women involved in the study
FIGURE 2.
FIGURE 2.
Gaussian curve of participants’ BMI
FIGURE 3.
FIGURE 3.
Graphical representation of blood sugar values in the first trimester of pregnancy
FIGURE 4.
FIGURE 4.
Correlation between blood sugar and BMI values
FIGURE 5.
FIGURE 5.
Graphical representation of glycosylated haemoglobin value in the first trimester of pregnancy
FIGURE 6.
FIGURE 6.
Correlation between glycosylated haemoglobin and BMI in the first trimester of pregnancy
FIGURE 7.
FIGURE 7.
Triglyceride values in the first trimester of pregnancy
FIGURE 8.
FIGURE 8.
Correlation between triglyceride and BMI values in the first trimester of pregnancy
FIGURE 9.
FIGURE 9.
The average HDL value in the first trimester of pregnancy
FIGURE 10.
FIGURE 10.
Correlation between average HDL and BMI values in the first trimester of pregnancy
FIGURE 11.
FIGURE 11.
The average LDL value in the first trimester of pregnancy
FIGURE 12.
FIGURE 12.
Correlation between average LDL and BMI values in the first trimester of pregnancy
FIGURE 13.
FIGURE 13.
Correlation between uric acid and BMI values
FIGURE 14.
FIGURE 14.
Correlation between metabolic profile, antenatal complications and premature birth
FIGURE 15.
FIGURE 15.
Correlation between metabolic profile, antenatal complications and gestational diabetes

References

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