Evaluating Gestational Weight Gain and Its Maternal and Fetal Outcomes at Tertiary Care Hospital, Abbottabad

Wajeeha  Yahya; Rabia  Hammad; Halima  Sadia; Takasur  Bibi; Naila  Khan; Mamoona  Kouser; Ejaz  Ahmed

doi:10.36283/ziun-pjmd14-3/004

Authors

Wajeeha Yahya Combined Military Hospital Abbottabad, Pakistan.
Rabia Hammad Aga Khan Hospital and University, Karachi, Pakistan.
Halima Sadia Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences, Islamabad, Pakistan.
Takasur Bibi Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre , Karachi , Pakistan.
Naila Khan Aga Khan Hospital and University, Karachi, Pakistan.
Mamoona Kouser Pakistan Air Force Hospital, Islamabad, Pakistan.
Ejaz Ahmed International Max Planck Research Institute, Berlin, Germany. https://orcid.org/0009-0003-6230-4288

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.36283/ziun-pjmd14-3/004

Keywords:

Gestation, Weight Gain, BMI, Underweight, Cesarean, Delivery , Birth Weight

Abstract

Background: Maternal weight gain during pregnancy has a significant impact on both maternal and fetal health outcomes. This study aimed to determine the frequency and variety of GWG patterns among pregnant women residing in Abbottabad, along with their assessment of associations between these patterns and unfavorable maternal (cesarean delivery) and fetal (LBW) outcomes.

Methods: A six-month descriptive study (May-November 2022) at the Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Combined Military Hospital (CMH) in Abbottabad was conducted that involved 199 pregnant women ranging from age 20-40 years. population was included using a consecutive non-probability sampling method. GWG was categorized according to IOM guidelines, with outcomes measured as cesarean delivery rates and incidence of low birth weight (LBW <2500g). The researchers analyzed the data using SPSS version 20 through quantitative measures by applying means and standard deviations to confounders.

Results: Key findings demonstrated a 30.2% cesarean delivery rate and 35.2% LBW incidence. Neonatal weight distribution revealed 30.7% underweight, 19.1% normal weight, and 30.7% overweight infants. Statistical analysis showed significant associations between underweight neonates and younger maternal age (20-30 years), rural residence, and lower education levels (p<0.05). Overweight neonates were associated with maternal secondary education and vaginal deliveries.

Conclusion: The bimodal distribution of neonatal weights highlighted that there were significant nutritional disparities in this population. These findings underscored that there was an urgent need for targeted interventions including enhanced maternal education, nutritional support programs, and improved healthcare access in order to optimize pregnancy outcomes in resource-limited settings.

Author Biographies

Wajeeha Yahya, Combined Military Hospital Abbottabad, Pakistan.

Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology,
Rabia Hammad, Aga Khan Hospital and University, Karachi, Pakistan.

Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology,
Halima Sadia, Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences, Islamabad, Pakistan.

Maternal and Children Hospital Unit 1,
Naila Khan, Aga Khan Hospital and University, Karachi, Pakistan.

Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology,
Mamoona Kouser, Pakistan Air Force Hospital, Islamabad, Pakistan.

Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology,
Ejaz Ahmed, International Max Planck Research Institute, Berlin, Germany.

School of Pathology,

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