The Association of Mean Weekly Maternal Weight Gain in the Third Trimester of Pregnancy and Late-Onset Pre-eclampsia: A Multicenter Case–Control Study

Background: Pre-eclampsia (PE) is a risk factor for various adverse pregnancy outcomes, including some diseases later in life. Knowledge of the pattern of weekly maternal weight gain, a modifiable risk factor, could be helpful in management. However, the association between late-onset PE (LOPE) and...

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Main Authors: Daniel N. Onwusulu, Chibuike O. Chigbu, Chioma P. Nnamani, Helen C. Okoye, Christian C. Anikwe, Oluchukwu L. Obiora, Godswill C. Chigbo
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications 2025-01-01
Series:International Journal of Medicine and Health Development
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.4103/ijmh.ijmh_41_24
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Summary:Background: Pre-eclampsia (PE) is a risk factor for various adverse pregnancy outcomes, including some diseases later in life. Knowledge of the pattern of weekly maternal weight gain, a modifiable risk factor, could be helpful in management. However, the association between late-onset PE (LOPE) and excessive maternal weight gain is inconclusive. Objectives: To evaluate the association of weekly maternal weight gain in the third trimester with LOPE. Materials and Methods: This is a multi-center case–control study. Health facilities in the southern part of Nigeria were purposively selected. Both Student’s t test and logistic regression were carried out. The receiver operating characteristic curve was used to obtain a mean weekly weight gain cutoff value predictive of LOPE. Results: The prevalence of excessive weekly weight gain was 68.2% (n = 73) in cases compared with controls (50.5%) (n = 54), P = 0.010. Third trimester mean total and weekly maternal weight gain was significantly higher in cases than in controls: 5.59 kg (standard deviation [SD] = 4.07) versus 3.89 kg (SD = 2.61), P = 0.004; 1.04 kg (SD = 0.76) versus 0.65 kg (SD = 0.51), P < 0.001, respectively. A critical cutoff value of 0.85 kg per week has an accuracy of 64.65% (area under the curve = 0.653, 95% confidence interval = 0.580–0.726; P < 0.001). Conclusion: Excessive weekly maternal weight gain is associated with LOPE. A critical cutoff value of 0.85 kg per week could be predictive. This value is not sensitive enough as a screening parameter for late-onset LOPE. Prospective cohort studies are recommended to improve the outcomes of the study.
ISSN:2635-3695
2667-2863