The effect of maternal body mass index on neonatal outcome in women receiving a single course of antenatal corticosteroids.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to determine the effect of maternal body mass index on the incidence of neonatal prematurity morbidities in those who receive corticosteroids.

STUDY

DESIGN

This was a secondary analysis of a trial of corticosteroids in women at risk for preterm birth. Women receiving a single course of corticosteroids were classified by their prepregnancy body mass index (<25 and > or = 25) and compared on a composite outcome comprised of several neonatal morbidities and on each individual outcome.

RESULTS

Of 183 eligible women, 96 (52.5%) had a body mass index of <25 and 87 (47.5%) had a body mass index of > or = 25. The composite outcome occurred more frequently in the body mass index of > or = 2 5 group (28.7%), compared with those with a body mass index of <25 (18.8%), although this was not statistically significant (odds ratio, 1.75; 95% confidence interval, 0.83-3.72). Body mass index was not associated with outcomes after adjusting for confounding.

CONCLUSION

Maternal body mass index did not affect neonatal prematurity morbidities in those receiving corticosteroids.