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. 2024 Apr 25;24(1):320.
doi: 10.1186/s12884-024-06523-x.

The impact of gestational weight gain on fetal and neonatal outcomes: the Araraquara Cohort Study

Audêncio Victor  1   2   3 , Laísla de França da Silva Teles  4 , Isabel Oliveira Aires  4 , Leticia Falcão de Carvalho  4 , Liania A Luzia  4 , Rinaldo Artes  5 , Patrícia H Rondó  6   4
Affiliations

The impact of gestational weight gain on fetal and neonatal outcomes: the Araraquara Cohort Study

Audêncio Victor et al. BMC Pregnancy Childbirth. .

Abstract

Background: Gestational weight gain (GWG) is an important indicator for monitoring maternal and fetal health.

Objective: To evaluate the effect of GWG outside the recommendations of the Institute of Medicine (IOM) on fetal and neonatal outcomes.

Study design: A prospective cohort study with 1642 pregnant women selected from 2017 to 2023, with gestational age ≤ 18 weeks and followed until delivery in the city of Araraquara, Southeast Brazil. The relationship between IOM-recommended GWG and fetal outcomes (abdominal subcutaneous tissue thickness, arm and thigh subcutaneous tissue area and intrauterine growth restriction) and neonatal outcomes (percentage of fat mass, fat-free mass, birth weight and length, ponderal index, weight adequateness for gestational age by the Intergrowth curve, prematurity, and Apgar score) were investigated. Generalized Estimating Equations were used.

Results: GWG below the IOM recommendations was associated with increased risks of intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) (aOR 1.61; 95% CI: 1.14-2.27), low birth weight (aOR 2.44; 95% CI: 1.85-3.21), and prematurity (aOR 2.35; 95% CI: 1.81-3.05), and lower chance of being Large for Gestational Age (LGA) (aOR 0.38; 95% CI: 0.28-0.54), with smaller arm subcutaneous tissue area (AST) (-7.99 g; 95% CI: -8.97 to -7.02), birth length (-0.76 cm; 95% CI: -1.03 to -0.49), and neonatal fat mass percentage (-0.85%; 95% CI: -1.12 to -0.58). Conversely, exceeding GWG guidelines increased the likelihood of LGA (aOR 1.53; 95% CI: 1.20-1.96), with lower 5th-minute Apgar score (aOR 0.42; 95% CI: 0.20-0.87), and increased birth weight (90.14 g; 95% CI: 53.30 to 126.99).

Conclusion: Adherence to GWG recommendations is crucial, with deviations negatively impacting fetal health. Effective weight control strategies are imperative.

Keywords: Cohort study; Fetal outcomes; Gestational weight gain; Intrauterine growth restriction; Neonatal outcomes; Pregnancy.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no competing interests.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Selection of study population in a cohort study in Araraquara
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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