Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the effect of maternal body mass index on the incidence of neonatal prematurity morbidities in those who receive corticosteroids.
Study design: This was a secondary analysis of a trial of corticosteroids in women at risk for preterm birth. Women receiving a single course of corticosteroids were classified by their prepregnancy body mass index (<25 and > or = 25) and compared on a composite outcome comprised of several neonatal morbidities and on each individual outcome.
Results: Of 183 eligible women, 96 (52.5%) had a body mass index of <25 and 87 (47.5%) had a body mass index of > or = 25. The composite outcome occurred more frequently in the body mass index of > or = 2 5 group (28.7%), compared with those with a body mass index of <25 (18.8%), although this was not statistically significant (odds ratio, 1.75; 95% confidence interval, 0.83-3.72). Body mass index was not associated with outcomes after adjusting for confounding.
Conclusion: Maternal body mass index did not affect neonatal prematurity morbidities in those receiving corticosteroids.
Copyright 2010 Mosby, Inc. All rights reserved.