Obesity in Pregnancy: Obesity in pregnancy can be dangerous for both mother and child, can lead to fetal life, claims new research

Both of these are associated with several maternal and fetal complications, such as fetal death, stillbirth, infant death after birth. However, it was not yet known how these complications arise. Studies have now shown that maternal obesity impairs placenta formation, its blood vessel density and surface area, and its ability to exchange nutrients between mother and baby.
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Study explaining maternal obesity

Both obesity and gestational diabetes affect placental hormone production and inflammatory markers, suggesting that the placenta is indeed functioning abnormally. The new findings provide an understanding of the underlying mechanisms of poor pregnancy outcome and risk to the health of the newborn. Since obesity and gestational diabetes often occur together, this study highlights the importance of maternal obesity rather than diabetes at the time of conception.

71 women participated in the study

Professor Mushi Matzila, from the University of Cape Town, said this study shows how these placenta changes may explain complications. Researchers from the University of Cambridge said the identification of specific changes in the placenta could lead to the potential development of placenta-targeted treatments or screening tests in the future. The study included 71 women, of whom 52 were obese and 38 developed gestational diabetes.