Pre-Pregnancy Body Mass Index for Predicting Pregnancy Outcomes

Abstract

Objectives: The objectives of our study were to determine the pre-pregnancy body mass index for predicting pregnancy outcomes and to comprehensively analyze the pregnancy outcomes for underweight, overweight, obese, and normal-weight women.

Study design: This was comparative cross sectional study design

Study setting: This study was conducted in the Institute of Mother and Child health, Nawabshah after approval from research ethical committee (No. PUMHS/SBA/PVC/ERC/121/2025, dated: 08-08-2025, & IBR number: OBG-2024-226-13543) for the period of 06 month from September 2025 to February 2026.

Methods: Pre-pregnancy Body mass index (BMI) was recorded and BMI was calculated at the time of delivery, and other variables required were examined. SPSS version 26.0 was used for statistical analysis and Chi square was used for association using 95% confidence level and 5% margin of error.

Results: According to our study data under age females were 22, normal weight females were 68, over weight were 34 and obese were 26. Mean age of the study participants was 28.32 ± 5.51, mean pre-pregnancy BMI was 23.41 ± 3.82 Kg/m², mean BMI at delivery was 24. 67 ± 5.12 Kg/m², mean gestational weight gain 7.64 ± 3.10 Kg, and mean gestational age at delivery was 36.41 ± 2.23 weeks. The results showed that of the 22 females were Underweight (BMI < 18.5kg/m²), dealing with Preterm births (59.09%), and SGA 40.09%).  68 females were with normal weight (BMI 18.5-24.9 25kg/m²) dealing with preterm births (30.89%), and SGA (20.58%). 34 females were overweight (BMI 25-29.9 kg/m²) dealing with SGA (26.47%) and preeclampsia 23.53%). 26 females were obese (BMI > 30kg/m²) dealing with gestational diabetes (50.0%), preterm births and preeclampsia (34.61%). Statistically significant association was seen in increased BMI with Gestational diabetes (p value (0.023), Preterm deliveries were seen with low BMI (p value 0.001). PPH and SGA were also significantly associated with low BMI (0.043 & 0.004) respectively.

Conclusion: The study described the importance of BMI calculating strategy in the context of predicting pregnancy outcomes. There is the significant relationship between BMI assessment and pregnancy outcomes in pregnant women.