Gestational weight gain ranges in normal and morbid outcomes of pregnancy in a South Indian cohort.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the gestational weight gain (GWG) in normal pregnancy and pregnancy-related morbidities in a cohort of South Indian pregnant women in order to address the lack of data on population-specific Indian GWG ranges.

METHOD: This observational study included pregnant women who delivered in KAHER's Dr. Prabhakar Kore Charitable Hospital, Belagavi. A univariate regression model was used to study the association of excess and suboptimal GWG with the occurrence of morbid outcomes in pregnancy.

RESULTS

Among 3603 deliveries, 2003 women were screened for eligibility, and 350 participants were included based on the inclusion criteria. Participants were categorized into two groups: normal outcomes (104; 29.7%), and outcomes with morbidities (246; 70.3%). Excess GWG was observed in various morbidities: macrosomia (15.40 ± 5.35 kg), diabetes in pregnancy (12.96 ± 5.86 kg), pregnancy-induced hypertension (12.91 ± 4.97 kg), maternal intensive care unit (ICU) admissions (12.16 ± 4.2 kg), and emergency lower segment cesarean (11.21 ± 4.75 kg) compared with GWG in women with normal outcome. Suboptimal GWG was observed in other morbidities: low birth weight (10.24 ± 4.23 kg), stillbirth (9 ± 5.77 kg), neonatal ICU admission (8.58 ± 3.34 kg), and fetal growth restriction (8.71 ± 3.15 kg).

CONCLUSION

The mean GWG in the South Indian cohort of pregnant women was lower than the IOM (Institute of Medicine) recommendations. India-specific GWG guidelines are needed to optimize maternal and neonatal health through evidence-based prenatal care strategies.