Study: Recurrent Miscarriages Linked to Obesity
The results of a new study from St Mary’s hospital in London has linked recurrent miscarriages (three or more) to obesity. UK researchers have learned that obesity significantly increases the risk of another pregnancy loss in women with a history of recurrent miscarriages. The miscarriage-obesity link has been well established for years, but this is the first study of its kind to look at unexplained recurrent miscarriages. The study’s findings were released at the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (RCOG) 7th International Scientific Meeting in Montreal in September.
A total of 696 women were involved in the study conducted by Winnie Lo, clinical nurse specialist at the hospital, and her colleagues. The women involved attended a specialist clinic between 1996 and 2007. The couples who attended this clinic had comprehensive investigations completed regarding their multiple miscarriages. The recurrent miscarriages with no identifiable causes were referred to as “unexplained.”
In addition, the women had their BMI measured at the very first consultation and were then placed into a category of either underweight, normal, overweight or obese. They were also followed through their next pregnancy for the study. When the results were analyzed, advanced maternal age (over 35) and other known risk factors for miscarriage were taken into account.
Out of all the women who took part in the study, 1% were categorized as underweight, while 54% were of normal weight. Close to 30% of the women were described as overweight and 15% were obese. Only 11% of the women in the obese category went on to have a live birth, while 19% ended up having a poor pregnancy outcome.
With maternal age and previous miscarriage numbers being adjusted, obese women were shown to have a much higher risk of a subsequent miscarriage compared to women with normal weight. No difference between women who were overweight or underweight were shown.
According to Winnie Lo, the study “shows that obese women who experience recurrent miscarriage are at greater risk of subsequent pregnancy loss.” She added, “All women with recurrent miscarriage should be weighed at their first consultation. Those who are found to be obese should be counseled regarding the benefits of weight loss in increasing their chances of a successful pregnancy and programs should be in place to help with the weight loss process.” On the other hand, pregnant women need to proceed with caution when it comes to weight loss, because there are also risks involved.