Obese Moms and Birth Defects Linked

Ivanhoe Newswire

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By Vivian Richardson, Ivanhoe Health Correspondent

ORLANDO, Fla. (Ivanhoe Newswire) -- The results of a new study may give doctors one more reason to encourage obese women to lose weight before getting pregnant. Babies born with structural birth defects, like heart defects or missing limbs, are more likely to have a mother who is obese.

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Researchers from the University of Texas in Houston compared the height and weight of nearly 15,000 women. Mothers of babies with certain kinds of birth defects were more likely to be obese, meaning they had a body mass index (BMI) higher than 30.

"Our study supports previous evidence, as well as provides new evidence, for the associations between maternal obesity and particular categories of birth defects," the study authors wrote. The birth defects linked to obese moms included Spina Bifida, heart malformations, defects of the anal opening and penis, diaphragmatic hernia, small or missing limbs, and intestines protruding through the naval.

Study authors report they are not sure what is causing the link, though undiagnosed diabetes is one theory.

The findings do not surprise Robert Atlas, M.D., Chair of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Mercy Medical Center in Baltimore, Md.

"This is a huge medical problem that we're seeing, and it's not going away; it's only getting worse," Dr. Atlas said. Overweight and obese mothers have become part of the norm in his practice, he explained. Women in these categories are at increased risk of several complications, including diabetes and unplanned Caesarian sections.

"The great majority of [obese] women do just fine. That doesn't mean it's OK," said Dr. Atlas. He recommends obese women try to get their BMI into the overweight range, 25 to 30, if getting to the normal range, 18 to 24, is not feasible.

SOURCE: Ivanhoe interview with Robert Atlas, M.D.; Archives of Pediatric & Adolescent Medicine, 2007;161:745-750

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