Abstract
Objective
To generate reliable new reference ranges for weight gain and increase in body mass
index (BMI) during pregnancy from a large population.
Study design
In a prospective cross-sectional study at the Obstetric outpatient clinic, Zurich
University Hospital, weight gain and BMI, before gestation and at the booking visit,
were determined in 4034 pregnant women with accurately dateable singleton pregnancies
(Caucasian: N = 3242, Asian (predominantly from Sri Lanka, Thailand and the Philippines): N = 578 and Black: N = 214). Women with known insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus before pregnancy were excluded.
Fifth, 50th and 95th centiles were presented for Caucasians and corresponding centile
curves for Asians and Blacks. Simple and multiple regression analyses were performed
for various risk factors. A significance level of P < 0.05 was used in all tests.
Results
Mean weight gain was 15.5 ± 5.9 kg (34.2 ± 13.0 lb) at term with values >25.4 kg (56.0 lb) and <5.7 kg (12.6 lb) for the 95th and the 5th centile, respectively. Mean BMI increased slightly and
steadily to 28 kg m−2 at term. Parity and pre-pregnancy BMI were significant determinants in Caucasians.
Weight gain and BMI was slightly lower in Asians and Blacks.
Conclusions
BMI centile curves have the advantage in that they consider height during the whole
course of pregnancy. It may be an additional helpful tool in controlling weight gain
in pregnancy. Further studies are required to determine the prognostic implications
of values ≥95th centile and ≤5th centile.
Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Accepted:
March 28,
2006
Received in revised form:
November 20,
2005
Received:
April 15,
2005
Identification
Copyright
© 2006 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
