Integrating multiple lines of evidence to assess the effects of maternal BMI on pregnancy and perinatal outcomes in up to 497,932 women
Authors: Borges Maria Carolina , Clayton Gemma , Freathy Rachel M , Felix Janine F , Fernández-Sanlés Alba , Soares Ana Gonçalves , Kilpi Fanny , Yang Qian , McEachan Rosemary R C , Richmond Rebecca C , Liu Xueping , Skotte Line , Irizar Amaia , Hattersley Andrew T , Bodinier Barbara , Scholtens Denise M , Nohr Ellen A , Bond Tom A , Hayes M. Geoffrey , West Jane , Tyrrell Jessica , Wright John , Bouchard Luigi , Murcia Mario , Bustamante Mariona , Chadeau-Hyam Marc , Jarvelin Marjo-Ritta , Vrijheid Martine , Perron Patrice , Magnus Per , Gaillard Romy , Jaddoe Vincent W V , Lowe William L , Feenstra Bjarke , Hivert Marie-France , Sørensen Thorkild IA , Håberg Siri E , Serbert Sylvain , Magnus Maria , Lawlor Deborah A 
Published: July 2022

Importance

Higher maternal pre-pregnancy body mass index (BMI) is associated with adverse pregnancy and perinatal outcomes. However, which of these associations are causal remains unclear.

Objective

To explore the relation of maternal pre-pregnancy BMI with pregnancy and perinatal outcomes by integrating evidence from three different methods (i.e. multivariable regression, Mendelian randomization, and paternal negative control analyses).

Design

Triangulation of multivariable regression, Mendelian randomization and paternal negative control results from up to 14 studies in the MR-PREG collaboration.

Setting

Europe and North America.

Participants

Up to 497,932 women of European ancestry.

Exposure

Maternal pre- or early-pregnancy BMI based on self-reported or measured weight and height.

Main outcomes and Measures

Miscarriage, stillbirth, hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, gestational hypertension, preeclampsia, gestational diabetes, maternal anaemia, perinatal depression, pre-labour rupture of membranes, induction of labour, caesarean section, preterm birth, small- and large-for-gestational age, low and high birthweight, low Apgar score at 1 and 5 minutes, neonatal intensive care unit admission, and no initiation of breastfeeding.

Results

Multivariable regression, Mendelian randomization and paternal negative control analyses supported an association of higher maternal BMI with lower risk of small-for-gestational age and higher risk of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, gestational hypertension, preeclampsia, gestational diabetes, pre-labour membrane rupture, induction of labour, large-for-gestational age, and high birthweight. As an example, higher maternal BMI was associated with higher risk of gestational hypertension in multivariable regression (OR: 1.67; 95% CI: 1.64, 1.71 per standard unit in BMI) and Mendelian randomization (OR: 1.58; 95% CI: 1.29, 1.93), which was not seen for paternal BMI (OR: 1.02; 95% CI: 0.99, 1.05). Findings did not support a relation between maternal BMI and perinatal depression. For other outcomes, evidence was inconclusive due to inconsistencies across the applied approaches or substantial imprecision in effect estimates from Mendelian randomization.

Conclusions and Relevance

Our findings support a causal role for maternal pre-/early-pregnancy BMI on a range of adverse pregnancy and perinatal outcomes. Pre-conception interventions to support women maintaining a healthy BMI may reduce the burden of obstetric and neonatal complications.

KEY POINTS

Question

What is the effect of higher maternal pre-/early-pregnancy body mass index (BMI) on adverse pregnancy and perinatal outcomes?

Findings

We found consistent evidence that higher maternal BMI was related to higher risk of gestational hypertension, preeclampsia, gestational diabetes, pre-labour membrane rupture, induction of labour, and having a large-for-gestational-age baby, lower risk of having a small-for-gestational-age baby, and not related to perinatal depression.

Meaning

These findings highlight the importance of supporting women to achieve/maintain a healthy pre-conception BMI to reduce the burden of obstetric and neonatal complications.