Congenital Anomalies in Women with Obesity

AbstractPurpose of ReviewIn addition to a general overview of congenital anomalies in pregnant people with obesity as well as new data on the topic, this review aims to discuss the challenges in antenatal diagnosis of anomalies via sonogram.Recent FindingsObesity is associated with a dose-dependent increase in risk of certain congenital anomalies including cardiac malformations. The risk reduction of neural tube defects with folic acid supplementation is not as significant in offspring of patients with obesity compared to their normal weight counterparts. The addition of an early anatomy scan at 13 to15 weeks in addition to the traditionally timed anatomy scan may improve completion of the scan and increase identification of anomalies.SummaryThe overall risk of congenital anomalies is 3 –5%. This risk increases with maternal obesity. Pregnant people with obesity are at higher risk of multiple types of anomalies in various organ systems, including cardiovascular, renal, and neurologic systems. Several of these are associated with a dose-dependent risk such that the risk is greater with increasing BMI. Along with the increased risk of anomalies, maternal obesity is also associated with lower quality sonogram images and poorer rates of completion of anatomy scans at initial attempt.
Source: Current Obstetrics and Gynecology Reports - Category: OBGYN Source Type: research