Maternal Body Mass Index and the Risk of Fetal Death, Stillbirth, and Infant Death

Evidence suggests that maternal obesity increases the risk of fetal death, stillbirth, and infant death; however, the optimal body mass index (BMI) for prevention is not known.

To conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis of cohort studies of maternal BMI and risk of fetal death, stillbirth, and infant death. DATA SOURCES: The PubMed and Embase databases were searched from inception to January 23, 2014. STUDY SELECTION: Cohort studies reporting adjusted relative risk (RR) estimates for fetal death, stillbirth, or infant death by at least 3 categories of maternal BMI were included. DATA EXTRACTION: Data were extracted by 1 reviewer and checked by the remaining reviewers for accuracy. Summary RRs were estimated using a random-effects model. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: Fetal death, stillbirth, and neonatal, perinatal, and infant death.