Maternal Obesity as a Risk Factor for Pregnancy-Related Metabolic Disorders and Neonatal Adversities: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

Authors

  • Hisham Logman Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Armed Forces Hospital Southern Region, Khamis Mushayt, Saudi Arabia.
  • Gihan Magdy Mostafa Mohamed Almoosa Health Group, Eastern Province, Alahssa, Saudi Arabia.
  • Fariha Altaf Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Tameside and Glossop Integrated Care Trust, Greater Manchester, United Kingdom.
  • Fath Elrahman Elrasheed Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Najran University, Saudi Arabia.
  • Zoobia Mushtaq Islamabad Medical Complex (Nescom Hospital), Islamabad, Pakistan.
  • Noor Sarchanar Jamal University of Sharjah, UAE.
  • Mohammed Ali Yassin Malallah University of Sharjah, UAE.
  • Rosul Adel Makkiyah Dubai Health, Dubai, UAE.
  • Safiya Hilal Alhabsy Medical Intern, EHS Hospital, UAE.
  • Meena Alrubaye Al Qassimi Hospital, Sharjah.

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.70749/ijbr.v3i2.657

Keywords:

Maternal Obesity, Gestational Diabetes, Neonatal Outcomes, Pregnancy Complications, Dietary Interventions

Abstract

Background: Maternal obesity (BMI ≥30 kg/m²) increases risks of GDM, hypertensive disorders, preeclampsia, and neonatal complications. This meta-analysis evaluates intervention effectiveness in reducing these risks. Objective: To assess the relationship between maternal obesity and adverse outcomes, including metabolic disorders and neonatal adversities, and to evaluate the efficacy of lifestyle and medical interventions in mitigating these risks. Methods: A systematic search of PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane Library databases identified nine studies involving 2,700 participants. Studies included were RCTs or prospective cohort studies focusing on obese or overweight pregnant women and reporting outcomes such as GDM, preeclampsia, pregnancy weight gain, and neonatal health. Data were extracted independently, and pooled odds ratios (Ors) or weighted mean differences (WMDs) were calculated using random-effects models. Subgroup and sensitivity analyses assessed outcome variations based on intervention types, maternal BMI categories, and other factors. Results: Maternal obesity was significantly associated with adverse outcomes. For pregnancy weight gain, dietary and exercise interventions showed a pooled effect size of 0.75 (95% CI: 0.60–0.90), with low heterogeneity (I² = 20%). GDM management reduced adverse fetal growth outcomes (0.85, 95% CI: 0.70–1.00; I² = 25%). Neonatal outcomes, including preterm birth and NICU admissions, improved with a pooled effect size 1.20 (95% CI: 1.05–1.35), with moderate heterogeneity (I² = 15%). Subgroup analyses revealed intervention-specific benefits, such as supervised exercise improving maternal weight outcomes (0.88, 95% CI: 0.78–0.98; I² = 15%). Conclusion: Maternal obesity raises pregnancy-related risks, but dietary changes and exercise help. Integrating effective interventions into prenatal care is crucial for better outcomes.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

Catalano, P. M., & Shankar, K. (2017). Obesity and pregnancy: Mechanisms of short term and long term adverse consequences for mother and child. BMJ, j1. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.j1

Poston, L., Caleyachetty, R., Cnattingius, S., Corvalán, C., Uauy, R., Herring, S., & Gillman, M. W. (2016). Preconceptional and maternal obesity: Epidemiology and health consequences. The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology, 4(12), 1025-1036. https://doi.org/10.1016/s2213-8587(16)30217-0

Chen, Q., Sjolander, A., Langstrom, N., Rodriguez, A., Serlachius, E., D'Onofrio, B. M., Lichtenstein, P., & Larsson, H. (2013). Maternal pre-pregnancy body mass index and offspring attention deficit hyperactivity disorder: A population-based cohort study using a sibling-comparison design. International Journal of Epidemiology, 43(1), 83-90. https://doi.org/10.1093/ije/dyt152

Gaillard, R. (2015). Maternal obesity during pregnancy and cardiovascular development and disease in the offspring. European Journal of Epidemiology, 30(11), 1141-1152. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10654-015-0085-7

Okesene-Gafa, K. A., Li, M., McKinlay, C. J., Taylor, R. S., Rush, E. C., Wall, C. R., Wilson, J., Murphy, R., Taylor, R., Thompson, J. M., Crowther, C. A., & McCowan, L. M. (2019). Effect of antenatal dietary interventions in maternal obesity on pregnancy weight-gain and birthweight: Healthy mums and babies (HUMBA) randomized trial. American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, 221(2), 152.e1-152.e13. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajog.2019.03.003

Teshome, A. A., Li, Q., Garoma, W., Chen, X., Wu, M., Zhang, Y., Zhang, X., Lin, L., Wang, H., Yang, X., Hao, L., Sun, G., Han, W., Chen, X., Xiong, G., & Yang, N. (2021). Gestational diabetes mellitus, pre-pregnancy body mass index and gestational weight gain predicts fetal growth and neonatal outcomes. Clinical Nutrition ESPEN, 42, 307-312. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clnesp.2021.01.016

Garnæs, K. K., Nyrnes, S. A., Salvesen, K. Å., Salvesen, Ø., Mørkved, S., & Moholdt, T. (2017). Effect of supervised exercise training during pregnancy on neonatal and maternal outcomes among overweight and obese women. Secondary analyses of the ETIP trial: A randomised controlled trial. PLOS ONE, 12(3), e0173937. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0173937

Price, S., Nankervis, A., Permezel, M., Prendergast, L., Sumithran, P., & Proietto, J. (2018). Health consequences for mother and baby of substantial pre-conception weight loss in obese women: Study protocol for a randomized controlled trial. Trials, 19(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s13063-018-2615-6

Navaee, M., Kashanian, M., Kabir, A., Zamaninour, N., Chamari, M., & Pazouki, A. (2024). Maternal and fetal/neonatal outcomes in pregnancy, delivery and postpartum following bariatric surgery and comparison with pregnant women with obesity: A study protocol for a prospective cohort. Reproductive Health, 21(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12978-023-01736-3

Vernini, J. M., Moreli, J. B., Magalhães, C. G., Costa, R. A., Rudge, M. V., & Calderon, I. M. (2016). Maternal and fetal outcomes in pregnancies complicated by overweight and obesity. Reproductive Health, 13(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12978-016-0206-0

Dinsmoor, M. J., Ugwu, L. G., Bailit, J. L., Reddy, U. M., Wapner, R. J., Varner, M. W., Thorp, J. M., Caritis, S. N., Prasad, M., Tita, A. T., Saade, G. R., Sorokin, Y., Rouse, D. J., Blackwell, S. C., & Tolosa, J. E. (2023). Short-term neonatal outcomes of pregnancies complicated by maternal obesity. American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology MFM, 5(4), 100874. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajogmf.2023.100874

Smith, G. C., Shah, I., Pell, J. P., Crossley, J. A., & Dobbie, R. (2007). Maternal obesity in early pregnancy and risk of spontaneous and elective preterm deliveries: A retrospective cohort study. American Journal of Public Health, 97(1), 157-162. https://doi.org/10.2105/ajph.2005.074294

Downloads

Published

2025-02-15

Issue

Vol. 3 No. 2 (2025): Indus Journal of Bioscience Research

Section

Review Article

License

Copyright (c) 2025 Indus Journal of Bioscience Research

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

How to Cite

Maternal Obesity as a Risk Factor for Pregnancy-Related Metabolic Disorders and Neonatal Adversities: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials. (2025). Indus Journal of Bioscience Research, 3(2), 157-162. https://doi.org/10.70749/ijbr.v3i2.657