Pregnancy outcome of overweight and obese Chinese women with gestational diabetes

Abstract

We investigated the pregnancy outcome of overweight and obese Chinese women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). Patients diagnosed as GDM from January 2010 to December 2011 were categorised into three groups, as normal weight, overweight and obese, according to the maternal pre-pregnancy body mass index (BMI) (kg/m²), 18.5–24.9, 25–29.9 and ≥ 30, respectively. Of the 604 GDM cases, 241 (39.9%), 211 (34.9%) and 152 (25.2%) subjects were normal weight, overweight and obese, respectively. Compared with subjects of normal weight, the incidence of assisted reproductive technology (ART) pregnancy, advanced maternal age, fetal macrosomia and emergency caesarean delivery were significantly higher in overweight and obese groups (p < 0.05). Obese women were at increased risk of premature rupture of membranes, pre-eclampsia and caesarean section compared with the other two groups (p < 0.05). Overweight and obese women with GDM have an increased risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes, even with good glycaemic control.

Keywords::

• Gestational diabetes mellitus
• obesity
• overweight
• pregnancy outcome

Declaration of interest: The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the paper.