Restricted gestational weight gain in overweight/obese women with gestational diabetes mellitus and pregnancy outcomes

Purpose of Investigation: Obesity and gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) are risk factors for adverse pregnancy outcomes. This retrospective study examined the effects of GDM treatment on pregnancy outcomes and gestational weight gain (GWG) among overweight/obese women. Materials and Methods: This study included 1,936 women with singleton pregnancies. Multivariate logistic regression analysis and Pearson's chi-square tests were performed to the association of interest. Results: Overweight/obese women had higher rates of adverse outcomes than normal weight women. In overweight/obese group, women with GDM had a lower risk of primary cesarean section, instrumental delivery, and admission to neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) than women without GDM. Overweight/obese women with GDM had lower GWG than those without GDM and the prevalence of excessive GWG was also lower among overweight/obese women with GDM than those without GDM. Conclusion: Diet and exercise interventions improved pregnancy outcomes and limited GWG in overweight/obese women with GDM. Lower GWG limits may be more applicable to GDM population.