Maternal obesity, interpregnancy weight changes and congenital heart defects in the offspring: a nationwide cohort study
Authors' conclusion
The risk of foetal CHDs became gradually higher with higher maternal BMI and interpregnancy weight increases above 2 BMI units were also associated with a higher risk of CHDs.
Study context
- Population
- All singleton pregnancies in Denmark 2008–2018 (live births, stillbirths, aborted and terminated pregnancies); chromosomal aberrations excluded
- Participants
- 547,105 pregnancies
- Exposure
- Maternal BMI categories and offspring congenital heart defects (CHDs)
- Outcome
- CHDs in the offspring
Methodological detailsDanish Foetal Medicine Database, pre- and postnatal diagnoses
- Danish Foetal Medicine Database
- Pre- and postnatal diagnoses
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
CHDs overall
Adjusted odds ratio (95% CI)
BMI 25-29.9 kg/m²
1.17(1.10–1.26)
BMI 30-34.9 kg/m²
1.21(1.09–1.33)
BMI 35-39.9 kg/m²
1.29(1.11–1.50)
BMI ≥ 40 kg/m²
1.85(1.54–2.21)
- Pregnancies with CHDs
- 5 442 (1.0%)
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Further findings
Atrioventricular septal defects (n = 231)
| OR (95% CI) | ||
|---|---|---|
| BMI ≥ 30 kg/m² | 1.67 (1.13–2.44) | |
| 0.512Odds ratio (log scale) |
CHDs in second pregnancy by interpregnancy BMI change
| aOR (95% CI) | ||
|---|---|---|
| BMI 2 to < 4 kg/m² | 1.29 (1.09–1.53) | |
| BMI ≥ 4 kg/m² | 1.36 (1.08–1.68) | |
| 0.512Adjusted odds ratio (log scale) |
- CHDs in second pregnancy by interpregnancy BMI change: 109 654 women with first and second pregnancies
Severe CHDs
- The same pattern was seen for the subgroup of severe CHDs
Original publication
Maternal obesity, interpregnancy weight changes and congenital heart defects in the offspring: a nationwide cohort study. Int J Obes (Lond). Published 11 May 2024. doi:10.
Composed by AI from the published abstract and checked against it. How Briefs are made →