Maternal-Foetal Complications in Pregnant Women with Obesity: a predictive model

Background Obesity is a recognised global epidemic with serious consequences, including increased risk of morbidity and reduced life expectancy. It is a chronic, multifactorial disease defined by a Body Mass Index ≥ 30 kg/m ² . It also imposes a significant economic burden on individuals, families and countries. During pregnancy, maternal obesity is a significant risk factor, making pregnancy a vulnerable period for obese women, potentially worsening its course and having adverse effects on both mother and foetus. In addition, the offspring of obese pregnant women are at increased risk of obesity in childhood and adulthood. Therefore, the aim of this study was to describe the maternal and neonatal consequences and morbidity associated with maternal obesity in pregnant women in the community of Cantabria, northern Spain, in the post-pandemic era. Methods This was achieved through a retrospective observational descriptive study of pregnant women who gave birth at the Marqués de Valdecilla University Hospital in Cantabria during the years 2021 and 2022. STROBE's COREQ recommendations were followed. Results No significant differences were found in the incidence of diseases during pregnancy and postpartum between 2021 and 2022. However, a significant difference was found in the need for Neonatal Intensive Care Unit admission, with a higher proportion of newborns admitted to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit in 2022. The classification model suggests that diseases during pregnancy, especially Hypertension arterial, complications during labor (with hemorrhage as the main one), and the reason for cesarean section, Risk of Foetal Well-being Loss, are significant predictors of the type of delivery. A significant increase in the frequency of all treatments was observed during the puerperium compared to gestation. Conclusions Obesity increases the risk of presenting diseases and complications during pregnancy, childbirth and neonatal risks. Therefore the pregnancy is a conflict for public health because it increases obstetric.