Effect of metformin in addition to an antenatal diet and lifestyle intervention on fetal growth and adiposity: the GRoW randomised trial

Background: The infants born to women who are overweight or obese in pregnancy are at an increased risk of being born macrosomic or large for gestational age. Antenatal dietary and lifestyle interventions have been shown to be ineffective at reducing this risk. Our aim was to examine the effects of metformin in addition to a diet and lifestyle intervention on fetal growth and adiposity among women with a BMI above the healthy range. Methods: Women who had a body mass index ≥25 kg/m² in early pregnancy, and a singleton gestation, were enrolled in the GRoW trial from three public maternity hospitals in metropolitan Adelaide. Women were invited to have a research ultrasounds at 28 and 36 weeks' gestation at which ultrasound measures of fetal biometry and adiposity were obtained. Fetal biometry z-scores and trajectories were calculated. Measurements and calculations were compared between treatment groups. This secondary analysis was pre-specified. Results: Ultrasound data from 511 women were included in this analysis. The difference in femur length at 36 weeks' gestation was (0.07 cm, 95% CI 0.01-0.14 cm, p = 0.019) and this was was statistically significant, however the magnitude of effect was small. Differences between treatment groups for all other fetal biometry measures, z-scores, estimated fetal weight, and adiposity measures at 28 and 36 weeks' gestation were similar. Conclusions: The addition of metformin to dietary and lifestyle advice in pregnancy for overweight and obese women has no clinically relevant effect on ultrasound measures of fetal biometry or adiposity.Amanda J. Poprzeczny, Jennie Louise, Andrea R. Deussen and Jodie M. Dod

Skin and subcutaneous fascia closure at caesarean section to reduce wound complications: the closure randomised trial

Background: Wound infection is a common complication following caesarean section. Factors influencing the risk of infection may include the suture material for skin closure, and closure of the subcutaneous fascia. We assessed the effect of skin closure with absorbable versus non-absorbable suture, and closure versus non-closure of the subcutaneous fascia on risk of wound infection following Caesarean section. Methods: Women undergoing caesarean birth at an Adelaide maternity hospital were eligible for recruitment to a randomised trial using a 2 × 2 factorial design. Women were randomised to either closure or non-closure of the subcutaneous fascia and to subcuticular skin closure with an absorbable or non-absorbable suture. Participants were randomised to each of the two interventions into one of 4 possible groups: Group 1 - non-absorbable skin suture and non-closure of the subcutaneous fascia; Group 2 - absorbable skin suture and non-closure of the subcutaneous fascia; Group 3 - non-absorbable skin suture and closure of the subcutaneous fascia; and Group 4 - absorbable skin suture and closure of the subcutaneous fascia. The primary outcomes were reported wound infection and wound haematoma or seroma within the first 30 days after birth. Results: A total of 851 women were recruited and randomised, with 849 women included in the analyses (Group 1: 216 women; Group 2: 212 women; Group 3: 212 women; Group 4: 211 women). In women who underwent fascia closure, there was a statistically significant increase in risk of wound infection within 30 days post-operatively for those who had skin closure with an absorbable suture (Group 4), compared with women who had skin closure with a non-absorbable suture (Group 3) (adjusted RR 2.17; 95% CI 1.05, 4.45; p = 0.035). There was no significant difference in risk of wound infection for absorbable vs non-absorbable sutures in women who did not undergo fascia closure. Conclusion: The combination of subcutaneous fascia closure and skin closure with an absorbable suture may be associated with an increased risk of reported wound infection after caesarean section.Amanda J. Poprzeczny, Rosalie M. Grivell, Jennie Louise, Andrea R. Deussen and Jodie M. Dod

Maternal overweight and obesity during pregnancy: strategies to improve outcomes for women, babies, and children

Published online: 29 Jun 2022Introduction: Women with overweight and obesity, and their children, are at increased risk of adverse pregnancy, birth, and longer term health outcomes, believed to be compounded by excessive gestational weight gain (GWG). Research to date has focused on interventions to reduce excessive GWG through changes to maternal diet and/or lifestyle. Areas covered: Current clinical recommendations for GWG vary according to a woman’s early pregnancy body mass index, based on assumptions that associations between GWG and adverse pregnancy outcomes are causal in nature, and modifiable. While there are small differences in GWG following pregnancy interventions, there is little evidence for clinically relevant effects on pregnancy, birth, and longer term childhood outcomes. This review considers interventional studies targeting women with overweight or obesity to reduce GWG in an effort to improve maternal and infant health, and the current evidence for interventions prior to conception. Expert opinion: GWG is not modifiable via diet and lifestyle change, and continued efforts to find the ‘right’ intervention for women with overweight and obesity during pregnancy are unjustified. Researchers should focus on gathering evidence for interventions prior to pregnancy to optimize maternal health and weight to improve pregnancy, birth, and longer term health outcomes associated with obesity.Jodie M. Dodda, Andrea R. Deussen, Megan Mitchell, Amanda J. Poprzeczny, and Jennie Louis