The sequelae of the COVID-19 pandemic on maternal body mass index, gestational weight gain, and delivery-associated birth complications: a nationwide epidemiologic study.

BACKGROUND

Evidence as to whether COVID-19-mitigating measures affected the metabolic status of pregnant women is lacking. This is the first study to analyze changes in pre-pregnancy weight, body mass index (BMI), gestational weight gain (GWG), the prevalence of overweight and obese women conceiving, and delivery-associated complications during the COVID-19 pandemic compared to pre-pandemic times.

METHODS

This nationwide cohort study analyzed birth registry data from all obstetric departments in Austria. The period from 05 to 12/2020 was defined as the pandemic period (N = 30,806), whereas the period from 05-12/2015-2019 was defined as the pre-pandemic period (N = 162,463).

RESULTS

The pre-pregnancy weight and BMI were 64 (57-73) kg and 23.03 (20.70-26.37) kg/m2 during the COVID-19 pandemic versus 63 (56-72) kg and 22.7 (20.57-22.77) kg/m2 during the pre-pandemic period (p < 0.001). The GWG remained constant at 13 kg and 4.8 kg/m2 between the exposure and control periods (p = 0.69; p = 0.65). A multivariate analysis revealed that the COVID-19 pandemic had a significant impact on pre-pregnancy weight (OR 1.01; 95% CI 1.00-1.02; p < 0.001) after adjusting for covariates (age, height, parity). During the COVID-19 pandemic period, a significantly higher percentage of women with overweight and obesity class I-III were reported compared to pre-pandemic times (p = 0.003, p < 0.001, p< 0.001). Finally, both more macrosomic infants (p = 0.003) and vacuum-assisted deliveries (p = 0.020) occurred during the COVID-19 pandemic.

CONCLUSIONS

COVID-19-mitigating measures worsened the metabolic status of pregnant women. To counteract this, targeted intervention programs must be implemented immediately as an integral part of the pandemic recovery plan.