Higher Birth Defect Risk if Mom is Obese according to : WebMD

The risk for a birth defect was found to be higher among boys than girls (4.1 percent versus 2.8 percent). The Swedish team noted that the link between maternal obesity and birth defect risk is already well-established. The research team concluded that while it's impossible to prove a direct cause-and-effect relationship, it does appear that there is an ever-increasing association between birth defect risk and rising maternal weight. But overall, roughly 3.5 percent of the children were found to have a major birth defect involving the heart, genital organs, limbs, urinary system, digestive tract, or nervous system. By Alan MozesHealthDay ReporterTHURSDAY, June 15, 2017 (HealthDay News) -- Women who are overweight or obese when they become pregnant face an elevated risk of having a baby with a major birth defect, new Swedish research warns.




The risk of birth defects rose to 3.5% among overweight women with a body mass index (BMI) of 25 to <30 kg/m². The risk for a birth defect was found to be higher among boys than girls (4.1 versus 2.8%). Maternal Excess Weight Tied to Higher Risk of Birth DefectsWomen who are overweight or obese should try to lose weight before getting pregnant, researcher saysHealthDay News — Women who are overweight or obese when they become pregnant face an elevated risk of having a baby with a major birth defect, with greater risk with increasing excess weight, according to research published online June 15 in The BMJ. It was 3.8% among obese women with a BMI of 30 to <35 kg/m². Among obese women with a BMI of 35 to <40 kg/m² and those with a BMI of 40 kg/m² and up, the risk rose to 4.2 and 4.7%, respectively.

Obesity in Pregnancy Increases Birth Defect Risk

The rates of birth defects in babies born to obese mothers were 3.8 percent (class I obesity), 4.2 percent (class II obesity), and 4.7 percent (class III obesity). Most health care professionals stress the importance of maintaining a healthy weight during pregnancy and earlier studies suggested a correlation between maternal obesity and birth defect risk. Credit: iStockMoms-to-be who are overweight or obese during pregnancy are at increased risk for having a baby with birth defects, according to a study recently published in the BMJ. In this new study, researchers took a closer look at whether expectant mothers who are overweight, rather than obese, are also at higher risk for birth defects. Expectant mothers in the study were classified as underweight (body mass index—BMI—of less than 18.5), normal weight (BMI of 18.5 to 24), overweight (BMI of 25 to 29), or obese (BMI over 30).


collected by :Lucy William

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