Abstract

Background: Obesity is a worldwide health problem. It is also associated with maternal and fetal outcome, such as sudden and unexplained intrauterine death, and diabetes, and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Little is known about the relation of obesity and recurrent pregnancy loss. This study aimed to assess the relation and impact of obesity on the risk of recurrent pregnancy loss.

Patient and methods: A cross sectional study was done in gynecology and obstetrics department in Azadi Teaching Hospital during 1st May 2019-1st August 2019. We randomly selected 402 patients of reproductive age. Data was obtained through standardized questionnaire including obstetrical , medical and surgical history information. BMI was divided according to the the WHO criteria: underweight <19, normal (19±24.9), over weight (25-29.9), and obese women (BMI >30).

Results: The prevalence of recurrent miscarriage was 24 (6%); those who had 1-2 miscarriages was 165 (41%). Recurrent miscarriage was significantly common among those aged 31 years 15 (9.9%), followed by 25-30 years 7(5.4%), and < 18 years 1 (3.4%). It was significantly common among obese 10 (12.7%), overweight 8 (4.5%) women, and underweight 1 (4.3).

Recurrent pregnancy loss was not significantly more among those who had 5 children 2 (12.5%) than those had 0-1 children14 (6.1%). Risk to have 1-2 miscarriages was significantly 0.3 times among those aged <18 years than those aged 19-30 years, and those who had 2-4 children 1.6 times than those had 0-1 children . Recurrent miscarriage was significantly 3.6 times more among obese women as compared with normal weight women, and 3.2 times among those aged 31, as shown in Table 4.

Conclusion and recommendation: Obesity was significantly associated with increased risk of RPL. It is important to recommend females with recurrent pregnancy loss to decrease weight in order to get better results.

Key words: recurrent miscarriage, recurrent pregnancy loss, obesity, overweight, BMI