Gestational diabetes and other maternal and neonatal-associated conditions could improve after bariatric surgery

Background: Women represent 40% of patients undergoing bariatric surgery. This highlights the importance of understanding its effects on pregnancy and newborns (NBs).

Objective: To compare pregnancy and neonatal outcomes between a group of pregnant women with obesity and those who had prior bariatric surgery.

Setting: University Hospital, Argentina; Private Practice.

Methods: A retrospective analysis of patients with bariatric surgery before pregnancy (n = 49) and women with obesity (body mass index [BMI] ≥ 30 kg/m2) without previous bariatric surgery (n = 146) was performed. Variables assessed included type of bariatric surgery, age at pregnancy, interval between surgery and conception, maternal weight and BMI at pregnancy onset and end, weight gain during pregnancy, NB weight, gestational age, premature birth, macrosomia, low birth weight, pregnancy-induced hypertension, gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), anemia, pre-eclampsia, congenital anomalies, fetal deaths, and mode of delivery.

Results: BMI at the start and end of pregnancy was lower in the postbariatric group compared to the group with obesity (P < .001). Weight gain during pregnancy was greater in the postbariatric group compared to the group with obesity (P < .001). The weight of NBs was lower in the postbariatric group compared to the group with obesity (P < .001). The incidence of GDM was lower in the postbariatric group compared to the group with obesity (P < .001). Other variables did not show significant differences between the 2 groups.

Conclusion: Pregnant women with obesity have high rates of gestational diabetes and neonatal macrosomia compared to those who underwent surgery.