Maternal Obesity and Occurrence of Fetal Macrosomia: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Abstract EN

To determine a precise estimate for the contribution of maternal obesity to macrosomia.

Data Sources.

The search strategy included database searches in 2011 of PubMed, Medline (In-Process & Other Non-Indexed Citations and Ovid Medline, 1950–2011), and EMBASE Classic + EMBASE.

Appropriate search terms were used for each database.

Reference lists of retrieved articles and review articles were cross-referenced.

Methods of Study Selection.

All studies that examined the relationship between maternal obesity (BMI ≥30 kg/m2) (pregravid or at 1st prenatal visit) and fetal macrosomia (birth weight ≥4000 g, ≥4500 g, or ≥90th percentile) were considered for inclusion.

Tabulation, Integration, and Results.

Data regarding the outcomes of interest and study quality were independently extracted by two reviewers.

Results from the meta-analysis showed that maternal obesity is associated with fetal overgrowth, defined as birth weight ≥ 4000 g (OR 2.17, 95% CI 1.92, 2.45), birth weight ≥4500 g (OR 2.77,95% CI 2.22, 3.45), and birth weight ≥90% ile for gestational age (OR 2.42, 95% CI 2.16, 2.72).

Conclusion.

Maternal obesity appears to play a significant role in the development of fetal overgrowth.

There is a critical need for effective personal and public health initiatives designed to decrease prepregnancy weight and optimize gestational weight gain.