Title: Identifying Obesity as a Cause of Stillbirth- A Prospective Study
Authors: Aditi Jindal M.D., Sarita Asotra, M.D., Rama Thakur, M.D., Santosh Minhas, M.D, Chitra Chaudhary, M.D., Himanshu Chaudhary, M.D.
DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.18535/jmscr/v8i5.91
Abstract
Introduction: Stillbirth is defined as no signs of life at birth. Stillbirth is a relatively understudied and under-reported public health issue. Obesity has been studied as a risk factor of stillbirth. Apart from a higher association of medical disorders in obese women leading to stillbirth, obesity has been identified as an independent risk factor for stillbirth.
Material and Method: A prospective non-interventional observational study was conducted with effect from January 2016 to December 2017 at Kamla Nehru State Hospital for Mother and Child, Indira Gandhi Medical College, Shimla.
Results: A total number of 180 still births occurred during our study period over a span of 2 years.
The incidence of stillbirth was highest at term between 37 to 41+6 weeks period of gestation. Of the study population 53.33% were overweight (BMI between 25- 30) and 24.44% were obese (>30).
Conclusion: The risk of stillbirth is higher in obese women. Risk of stillbirth increases linearly with gestational age. The highest risk of stillbirth is at term.
Keywords: Obesity, over-weight, stillbirth, Body mass index.
