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VOLUME 17 , ISSUE 1 ( January-February, 2025 ) > List of Articles

RESEARCH ARTICLE

Obese Birthing Mothers Gave Higher Adverse Pregnancy Outcomes in COVID-19 Pandemic

Qurrata Akyuni, Khanisyah E Gumilar, Rachma WP Suherman, Muhammad IA Akbar, Sarah F Andini, Hermanto T Joewono

Keywords : Cesarean delivery, Obesity, Preeclampsia, Pregnancy, Perinatal outcomes

Citation Information : Akyuni Q, Gumilar KE, Suherman RW, Akbar MI, Andini SF, Joewono HT. Obese Birthing Mothers Gave Higher Adverse Pregnancy Outcomes in COVID-19 Pandemic. J South Asian Feder Obs Gynae 2025; 17 (1):77-82.

DOI: 10.5005/jp-journals-10006-2587

License: CC BY-NC 4.0

Published Online: 28-03-2025

Copyright Statement:  Copyright © 2025; The Author(s).


Abstract

The prevalence of pregnancy with obesity poses significant health challenges. This retrospective study aimed to evaluate the impact of obesity severity on maternal and perinatal outcomes during the COVID-19 pandemic. Medical records of 550 obese pregnant women from Universitas Airlangga Hospital in 2021 were analyzed, excluding cases of incomplete data and twin pregnancies. Obesity was classified into three classes based on body mass index (BMI). Maternal outcomes examined included hypertensive disorders, cesarean delivery, gestational diabetes, COVID-19 infection, and maternal mortality. Neonatal outcomes evaluated included birth weight, macrosomia, asphyxia, and neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) admission. The study discovered that the prevalence of maternal obesity was 54.7%, with class I obesity being the most common. The incidence of preeclampsia and cesarean delivery increased significantly with obesity severity. Moreover, obese women who were COVID-19 patients had a higher risk of cesarean delivery, neonatal asphyxia, and maternal mortality. While the study did not show a correlation between obesity severity and COVID-19 infection rates, it highlighted the exacerbated risks when both conditions were present. This study emphasized the need for focused interventions to strengthen maternal and newborn outcomes among obese women in pregnancy, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. Further research comparing obese and non-obese pregnancy is necessary to expand the understanding of obesity's impact on pregnancy outcomes.

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