PREGNANCY COURSE AND OUTCOMES IN WOMEN WITH LOW BODY MASS INDEX

Abstract

Aim. To study pregnancy course and outcomes in women with low body mass index. Materials and Methods. We analyzed 50 case histories of underweight women who delivered at Reshetova Kemerovo Regional Perinatal Center during 2017. For the comparison, we also investigated 50 case histories of women with normal body mass index. Results. Underweight and healthy women did not differ significantly in terms of age (26.5 ± 3.6 and 27.3 ± 3,7 years, respectively, p = 0.23), primiparity (42% and 30%, respectively, p = 0.19), and past medical history of abortions, vaginal births, or cesarean section. In addition, no significant intergroup differences in prevalence of chorioamnionitis, weak uterine contractions, and abnormal uterine activity were revealed. Women with low body mass index frequently had iron deficiency anemia (22%), neurological disorders (16%), and narrow pelvis (22%). The duration of labor and amount of blood loss during vaginal birth were considerably less in underweight women in comparison to healthy patients (382.9 ± 154.7 versus 455.4 ± 190.8 minutes, respectively, р = 0.04; 193.2 ± 47.0 mL versus 237.5 ± 86.0 mL, respectively, p = 0.002); however, prevalence of placentra previa and traumatic delivery as well as the amount of blood loss during cesarean section were higher in underweight versus healthy women (12% versus 0%, respectively, p = 0.01; 18% versus 4%, respectively, p = 0.03; 607.7 ± 227.0 mL versus 507.1 ± 68.0 mL, p = 0.003). Conclusions. Placenta previa, traumatic delivery, and iron deficiency anemia are significantly more prevalent in underweight women.