Maternal indicators and obstetric outcome in the north Indian population: A hospital-based study

Background: Understanding the effect of maternal parameters on obstetric outcome has public health importance because these indicators are associated with infant health and survival and influence development and health in later life. Aim: To determine the effects of various maternal indicators on pregnancy outcome in north-Indian women. Settings and Design: A prospective study of all consecutive women with singleton pregnancy, who were registered in the first two months of pregnancy and delivered in the hospital. Materials and Methods: Maternal indicators such as age, height, prepregnancy weight, body mass index (BMI), hemoglobin and parity were correlated with pregnancy outcome. The women with a medical disorder or complication that developed during the course of pregnancy were excluded. Results: A total of 2027 women were analyzed. Maternal height, weight, BMI and parity had a positive significant correlation with birth weight of the newborn (r = 0.081, P value < 0.001, r = 0.148, P value < 0.001, r = 0.121, P value < 0.001 and r = 0.099, P value < 0.001, respectively). Maternal height, weight and period of gestation were significant indicators for low birth weight on multivariate logistic regression. The rate of preterm delivery was significantly higher in women with hemoglobin < 7 g% and women with parity > 3. The chances of caesarian section increased significantly with increase in maternal height, weight and BMI. Conclusions: A prepregnancy weight of more than 40 kg, BMI of more than 19.8 and hemoglobin of at least 7g% or more favor good obstetric outcome.