MATERNAL BODY MASS INDEX AS A METABOLIC DETERMINANT OF OBSTETRIC OUTCOMES IN PRIMIGRAVIDA WITH UNENGAGED HEAD AT TERM
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.69656/pjp.v22i3.1976Keywords:
Body mass index, Caesarean section, Foetal distress, Foetal head engagement, Maternal outcome, Neonatal outcome, Postpartum haemorrhage, PPH, Pregnancy, PrimigravidaAbstract
Background: Unengaged foetal head at term in primigravida women is associated with adverse obstetric outcomes. Maternal body mass index (BMI) can also influence labour and delivery. Limited information is available on the relationship between BMI and outcomes in women with unengaged foetal head. The objective of this study was to determine the association of maternal BMI with obstetric and neonatal outcomes among primigravida women with unengaged foetal head at term. Methods: This analytical study included 139 primigravida women aged 18–40 years with singleton, vertex pregnancies at 38–41 weeks and unengaged foetal head. Participants were recruited with non-probability consecutive sampling. BMI was categorized as ≤25 and >25 Kg/m². Maternal and neonatal outcomes included caesarean section (CS), postpartum haemorrhage (PPH), foetal distress and low Apgar score. Data were analysed using SPSS-24, and p<0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: Among women with BMI ≤25 Kg/m², 44 (47.3%) underwent caesarean section compared with 16 (34.8%) with BMI >25 Kg/m² (p=0.161). PPH occurred in 11 (11.8%) women with BMI ≤25 Kg/m² and 4 (8.7%) with BMI >25 Kg/m² (p=0.575). Foetal distress occurred in 33 (35.5%) and 10 (21.7%), respectively (p=0.099), while low Apgar score occurred in 4 (4.3%) and 6 (13.0%) respectively (p=0.061). None of these associations was statistically significant. Conclusion: Maternal BMI was not significantly associated with caesarean section, PPH, foetal distress or low Apgar score among primigravida women with an unengaged foetal head at term.
Pak J Physiol 2026;22(3):149–52, DOI: https://doi.org/10.69656/pjp.v22i3.1976
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Copyright (c) 2026 Sehrish Fayyaz , Umber Naeem Rathore, Hania Ifzaal Aslam , Munazza Tayyab , Saima Manzoor, Amina Khalid
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