Maternal pregnancy weight gain and the risk of placental abruption

To evaluate the relationship between pregnancy weight gain and placental abruption, Missouri's population-based, maternally linked, longitudinal dataset (1989-2005, n=1,146,935) was assessed. Regardless of baseline body mass index, women who gained less than the optimal amount recommended by the Institute of Medicine had a 67% increased likelihood of placental abruption (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] for placental abruption=1.673; 95%CI=1.588-1.762) compared with those who gained an optimal amount of weight, while those who gained more than the recommended optimal amount of weight had a 30% reduced AOR for placental abruption (AOR=0.695, 95%CI=0.660-0.731). These findings underscore the importance of maternal weight management as part of preconception care to improve pregnancy outcomes. (C) 2013 International Life Sciences Institute