Blood-based biomarkers of adverse perinatal outcomes in maternal obesity.

Objective: Increasing maternal weight has been shown to predict adverse perinatal outcome, including increases in the relative risk of fetal death, stillbirth, neonatal death, perinatal death and infant death. In order to better understand the pathophysiological factors associated with obesity during pregnancy, the role of biomarkers associated with adverse outcomes in obese pregnant women is under investigation. The purpose of this review study was to examine potential biomarkers that could serve as effective screening strategies in obese pregnant women to reduce fetal and neonatal morbidity, as well as maternal morbidity.

Methods: Electronic databases (Pubmed, Embase) were searched for previously published research studies that investigated biomarkers associated with perinatal outcomes in obese pregnant women and the putative mechanisms underlying biomarker effects on pregnancy outcomes.

Results: It is evident that while several biomarkers predict perinatal complications in obese pregnant women, none fulfilled the criteria to be considered clinically useful.

Conclusion: There is a critical need for reliable blood-based biomarkers associated with an increased risk of adverse perinatal outcomes in obese pregnant women.