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Maternal Outcomes Associated with Weight Change Between Pregnancies

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Abstract

Objective: Weight change between pregnancies was examined to determine if there were an association between weight gain (or loss) and delivery by cesarean section, gestational diabetes or pregnancy-induced hypertension.

Methods: A cohort study was conducted which included Nova Scotia residents with two or more singleton deliveries between 1988 and 1996. Weight change between pregnancies was calculated as the difference in weight from a woman’s initial pre-pregnancy weight and the pre-pregnancy weight recorded from her final recorded pregnancy.

Results: Weight change between pregnancies was examined in 19,932 women. Women in the highest weight gain category were at an increased risk for developing gestational diabetes (RR = 1.59, 95% CI 1.22 – 2.08), independent of their weight prior to the final pregnancy, and other confounders. Weight gain (or loss) between pregnancies was not associated with the other outcomes.

Interpretation: Weight gain between pregnancy is an independent risk factor for gestational diabetes.

Résumé

Objectif: Les changements de poids entre les grossesses ont été étudiés pour vérifier s’il existait une association entre le gain (ou la perte) de poids et les accouchements par césarienne, le diabète gestationnel ou l’hypertension induite par la grossesse.

Méthodes: Il s’agit d’une étude de cohorte incluant les résidentes de la Nouvelle-Écosse ayant eu deux accouchements ou plus entre 1988 et 1996. Le changement de poids entre les grossesses a été calculé comme la différence entre le poids pré-grossesse initial et le poids pré-grossesse du dernier accouchement.

Résultats: Les changements de poids ont été evalués chez 19 932 femmes. Les femmes avec un gain élevé de poids ont un risque accru de diabète gestationnel (RR=1.59, IC 95 % 1.22–2.08), indépendamment de leur poids pré-grossesse lors de leur dernier accouchement, et des autres facteurs confondants. Le gain (ou la perte) de poids entre les grossesses n’etait pas associé aux autres événements étudiés.

Interprétation: Le gain de poids entre les grossesses est un facteur de risque indépendant pour le diabète gestationnel.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Reproductive Care Program of Nova Scotia, 5980 University Avenue, Halifax, NS, B3H 4N1, Canada

    Jason D. Pole BSc &  Linda A. Dodds PhD (Epidemiologist)

  2. Departments of Obstetrics and Gynecology and Community Health and Epidemiology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada

    Linda A. Dodds PhD (Epidemiologist)

Authors
  1. Jason D. Pole BSc
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  2. Linda A. Dodds PhD
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Correspondence to Linda A. Dodds PhD.

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Pole, J.D., Dodds, L.A. Maternal Outcomes Associated with Weight Change Between Pregnancies. Can J Public Health 90, 233–236 (1999). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03404122

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03404122

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