Maternal Obesity Research

Recent maternal obesity research identified an association with the development of neural tube defects in the offspring. Whether the same connection exists between maternal obesity and infant congenital heart defects is still unclear. Congenital cardiovascular defects were among the most common birth defects, revealed during maternal obesity research. The frequency at birth of cardiovascular defects is estimated at seven to nine per 1000 births. The maternal obesity research that observed a relationship between maternal obesity and cardiovascular defects in the offspring, is of significant importance. Congenital cardiovascular defects contribute to increased morbidity and mortality during childhood. What the maternal obesity research did highlight was that it is possible that appropriate guidance and management during pregnancy for the obese women, could reduce the gestational weight gain and also contribute to persistent behavioural changes concerning nutrition and physical exercise.