Maternal Obesity Associated with Increased Risk of Stillbirth

Results from a recent study using BORN data showed that maternal obesity was associated with an increased risk of stillbirth, particularly at term. 

Researchers at Dalhousie University, The Ottawa Hospital and Queen’s University analyzed data of 681,178 births, (including 1956 stillbirths) in Ontario between April 1, 2012 and December 31, 2018.

After adjusting for other stillbirth risk factors like diabetes and high blood pressure, the researchers found that people with class I obesity (BMI 30–34.9 kg/m2) had double the risk of stillbirth at 39 weeks' gestation compared to those with normal BMI (18.5–24.9 kg/m2).

For those in obesity classes II and III (BMI 35–39.9 kg/m2 and BMI 40 kg/m2 and higher, respectively), stillbirth risk at 36 weeks was 2 to 2.5 times that of people with normal BMI. This risk further increased with gestational age, with a more than fourfold risk at 40 weeks.  

Check out the press release for more details.