Prepregnancy Obesity and Adverse Health Conditions in Rhode Island

摘要

Nearly one third of reproductive-age women in the U.S. are obese and the prevalence of obesity among preg- nant women has increased dramatically over the past 30 years. 1-4 Obesity during pregnancy is a well-known risk factor for many adverse health conditions for both mother and baby, such as gestational diabetes, hyper- tension, preeclampsia, cesarean delivery, fetal macro- somia, preterm birth, miscarriage, and stillbirth. 3-8 It also increases the risk of certain birth defects, includ- ing anencephaly, spina bifida, and some heart defects. 3-6 Children born to obese mothers are twice as likely to be obese and to develop type 2 diabetes in life. Obesity during pregnancy is also associated with increased use of health care services, including more prenatal fetal tests, obstetrical ultrasonographic examinations, medi- cations dispensed from the outpatient pharmacy, prena- tal visits with physicians, and longer hospital stays, all of which can increase the cost of medical care.