Journal of Women's Health Care
Open Access

Abstract

Maternal Obesity and Energy Intake as Risk Factors for Pregnancy Induced Hypertension among Iranian Women

Elham Kazemian, Gity Sotoudeh, Ahmad Reza Dorosti- Motlagh, Mohammad Reza Eshraghian and Minoo Bagheri

Background: Pregnancy induced hypertension is an abnormality causing striking maternal, fetal and neonatal mortality and morbidity in the world. The aim of present study was to assess pre pregnancy BMI and gestational weight gain beside energy intake during pregnancy as risk factors for developing gestational hypertension. Methods: A case-control study was conducted at Shahid Akbarabadi Hospital of obstetrics and gynecology in south of Tehran. Results: Women who were obese (Odds Ratio (OD): 4.44; 95% Confidence Intervals (CI): 1.84-10.72) before pregnancy were more likely to develop gestational hypertension compared with woman who had normal prepregnancy BMI. Also having excessive gestational weight gain proportion was positively and significantly associated with development of gestational hypertension (OR, 2.70; 95% CI: 1.19-6.13). Furthermore, findings of present study revealed that women who were in highest quartile of midarm circumference had a 3-fold increased risk of gestational hypertension compared with women in lowest quartile (OR, 8.93; 95% CI: 2.16-36.93). Also we found that having been in highest quartile of energy intake positively related with increased risk of gestational hypertension (OR, 9.66; 95% CI: 3.30-28.21). Conclusion: The results of present investigation suggest pre pregnancy obesity, excessive gestational weight gain and increased intake of energy as potential risk factors for developing gestational hypertension.