Maternal obesity (BMI ≥25 kg/m² by Asian Indian criteria) and fetomaternal outcomes: A prospective comparative study

Background: Maternal obesity is increasingly common and is associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes. Asian Indian BMI criteria classify obesity at a lower cut-off (BMI ?25 kg/m²), which may better reflect metabolic risk in this population. Objective: To compare maternal, obstetric, postpartum, and neonatal outcomes between obese pregnant women (BMI ?25 kg/m²) and non-obese pregnant women (BMI 18.5-24.9 kg/m²) using Asian Indian BMI criteria. Material and Methods: A prospective comparative observational study was conducted at Apollo Hospitals International Ltd., Gandhinagar, Gujarat, India over an 18-month period. A total of 100 antenatal women were enrolled and grouped as obese (n=50) and non-obese (n=50). Maternal outcomes assessed included pregnancy-induced hypertension (PIH), gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), PROM, preterm labour, postpartum haemorrhage, induction of labour, and mode of delivery (LSCS). Postpartum wound status was evaluated. Neonatal outcomes included gestational age at birth, birth weight, APGAR scores at 1 and 5 minutes, and NICU admission. Categorical variables were compared using Chi-square/Fisher’s exact test and continuous variables using independent t-test, with p