OBJECTIVE:

To describe the prevalence of gestational diabetes and arterial hypertension in pregnant patients with pre-pregnancy obesity.

MATERIALS AND METHODS:

Retrospective, cross-sectional and descriptive study in pregnant women with a diagnosis of obesity prior to pregnancy (body mass index greater than 29.99) and with prenatal care. The sample size was 269 pregnant women. Lifestyle (diet, physical activity, alcohol, tobacco or drug addiction) and physical, clinical and biochemical characteristics during the current pregnancy were evaluated by gestational trimester (body mass index, glucose, systolic and diastolic blood pressure). The diagnosis of gestational diabetes was established by a glucose tolerance test between the 24th and 28th week of gestation and gestational hypertension was diagnosed by blood pressure figures greater than or equal to 140/90 mmHg from the 20th week of gestation and in the absence of proteinuria. Statistical analysis included percentages, means, and confidence intervals.

RESULTS:

The prevalence of gestational diabetes in obese pregnant women was 13.7% (95%CI: 9.6-17.9) and the prevalence of gestational hypertension in obese pregnant women was 7.4% (95%CI: 4.3-10.6).

CONCLUSION:

Obesity is a known risk factor, particularly for diabetes and hypertension in pregnancy. Its high prevalence makes it necessary to implement prevention campaigns to reduce it.

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