Obesity Raises Risk Of Complications In Pregnancy, Study
Shows26 Jul 2009
Expectant mothers who are obese are much more likely to suffer from minor
complications such as heart burn and chest infections during pregnancy, a study
suggests.
Research by the University of Edinburgh found that obese mothers-to-be were nearly
10 times more likely to suffer from chest infections, and more than twice as likely
to suffer from headaches and heartburn, compared with pregnant women of a healthy
weight.
Researchers studied the records of more than 650 pregnant women, of whom nearly
half were overweight or obese at the beginning of their pregnancy. The study took
into account factors such as age and smoking.
Obese pregnant women were three times more likely to have carpal tunnel syndrome,
which occurs when an increase in fluid causes swelling in the wrist. The condition
can lead to tingling, pain, numbness and lack of coordination in the hands.
The study, published in the British Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology,
also found that obese women had a more than three-fold increased risk of suffering
from a condition known as symphysis-pubis dysfunction, which affects the pelvic
joints and may cause walking difficulties if severe.
The costs of treating minor complications in obese women were estimated to be more
than three times that of treating women of a healthy body weight.
Dr Rebecca Reynolds, of the Tommy's Centre for Maternal and Fetal Health at the
University of Edinburgh: "Although symptoms such as heartburn are common and
generally perceived to be benign, they can still have a major impact on the quality
of life for pregnant women and can be linked to more serious conditions. What may
be termed as minor complications can make a pregnancy much more uncomfortable and
are also associated with higher treatment costs."
Around a quarter of pregnant women giving birth are obese. The Tommy's Centre for
Maternal and Fetal Health at the University of Edinburgh is investigating the
implications of obesity in pregnancy and how this can be addressed to improve both
the health of mother and child.
Obesity during pregnancy also increases the risk of more serious conditions such as
gestational diabetes, pre-eclampsia and the need for a caesarean section. More than
one-third of pregnancy-related deaths occur in mothers who are obese.
Source
Nexxus Scotland
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