Mom, Weight and Birth Defects
It has long been known that the weight of a newborn baby, either too high or too low can lead to medical problems for the baby. It is also known that a mother who gains too much weight may herself develop medical issues (for example diabetes, blood clots, high blood pressure, wound infections and a higher risk of cesarean delivery) and these may cause problems for the fetus. Now it appears that the mother’s weight even BEFORE becoming pregnant can put the fetus at risk for congenital anomalies!
A research article in JAMA (Journal of the American Medical Association) in February of this year came to this conclusion. The mothers were defined as being ‘overweight’ or ‘obese’ based on their Body Mass Index (BMI). A BMI OF 25-30 is defined as ‘overweight’ and a BMI of greater than 30 as being ‘obese’.
In several of my past articles I have noted that one’s BMI can be calculated by the formula:
n [Weight pounds ( Height inches2)] x 703= BMI
Of course an easier way to calculate the BMI is simply to check one of the charts in our office!
Sobering statistics show a growing problem worldwide of overweight and obese adults. In 2005, 1.6 billion adults across the globe were overweight and 400 million were obese. By 2015, extrapolating present trends, it is expected that there will be 2.3 billion overweight and more than 700 million obese adults. Right now in the United States about two thirds of the population is either overweight or obese. (In a previous article I discussed the health implications for these individuals)
A women’s pre-pregnancy weight is a cause of congenital anomalies. These abnormalities are, in turn, a major cause of stillbirths and infants deaths. These births defects account for 1 in every 5 (20 percent) of infants deaths. In addition, the infants of these groups of women have significantly increased odds of having various structural abnormalities. These include neural tube defects (spinal cord and brain), spina bifida, heart and other cardiovascular abnormalities, cleft lip, cleft palate, hydrocephaly (water on the brain), anorectal and other gastrointestinal deformities and shortened of deformed arms and legs.
With the evidence at hand, it is important for any women to reach an optimal weight before becoming pregnant. After delivery she should obviously return to the best weight prior to another pregnancy. We have initiated the MEDI Weightloss program in our office to assist people in reaching these goals.
Stephen F. Scholle, M.D., Ph.D. practices Family Medicine, Dermatology and in addition has the Medi Weightloss program in his office. The office is in the Key Estero Center at 1661 Estero Blvd., Ste. #1, on Fort Myers Beach. For more information, please call 239-765-0007.