ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE
To determine and compare the frequency of preterm birth among overweight and obese pregnant women attending JPMC, Karachi.
METHODOLOGY
A cross-sectional study was conducted from December 2024 to June 2025 in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, JPMC, Karachi. It included 188 pregnant women aged 18–40 years, between 22–37 weeks of gestation, with BMI ≥ 23.0 kg/m². Based on Asia-Pacific criteria, participants were classified as overweight (BMI 23.0–24.9 kg/m²) or obese (BMI ≥ 25.0 kg/m²). Data were analysed in SPSS version 26 using descriptive and inferential statistics, applying the Chi-square test (p < 0.05).
RESULTS
Among 188 pregnant women (mean age 28.9±3.7 years; mean BMI 30.0±3.85 kg/m²), 20.2% experienced preterm birth. Obese women showed a higher preterm rate (25.0%) than overweight women (12.3%), though the difference was not statistically significant (p=0.334). Maternal BMI was significantly higher in women with preterm birth (p=0.007), whereas age, parity, residence, and employment showed no significant association.
CONCLUSION
The study revealed that preterm births were more frequent among obese women compared to those who were overweight, although this difference did not reach statistical significance. A higher maternal BMI demonstrated a significant association with preterm delivery, highlighting excessive maternal weight as a key risk factor. Promoting preconception weight optimization and individualized antenatal care could help reduce preterm birth rates in this population.
KEYWORDS
Preterm birth, Maternal obesity, Overweight, Body mass index; Antenatal care