Language: English
The healthcare portal for patients and the general public in Europe
Read more about recent research into the comparison of fast food versus restaurant food
This service contains links to third party websites. EPG Patient Direct is not in a position to verify this information and cannot be held responsible for the accuracy of the content contained.
09 May 2008
Pregnant women who either gain more or less than the recommended maternal weight increase are more likely to encounter complications, according to a new report.
A review of multiple studies on the effects of maternal weight gain during pregnancy concluded that too much or too little weight gain can lead to problems during labour and impact on the infant's long-term health.
Commenting on the analysis, the study's senior research analyst Dr Meera Viswanathan said: "Unfortunately, the existing body of research on maternal weight gain is inadequate to permit a more comprehensive assessment.
"Most beneficial would be an analysis that considers the risks and potential benefits of various maternal weight-gain scenarios to all women irrespective of age, race or ethnicity, or their body mass index before they became pregnant."
Excess weight gain during pregnancy can be associated with increased foetal growth and birth weight, which can cause problems in childbirth.
Too little weight gain, however, has also been linked to poor growth of the baby and lower birth weights as well as increased risk of premature birth.
Click here to learn more about health issues: symptoms, diagnosis and treatment.
Delicious
Reddit
Facebook
StumbleUpon
