Objective: to assess the maternal and neonatal risks of two different bariatric surgical procedures on the following pregnancy regarding obstetric complications and perinatal outcome.

Subject and Methods: In this retrospective cohort study, a total of forty four pregnant women underwent bariatric surgery and were followed up for antenatal care between 2014 and 2017 included in the study. According to the type of bariatric surgery they were sub-classified into two groups. Group (A) 28 pregnant women who had undergone restrictive procedure, and group (B) 16 pregnant women who had undergone malabsorptive procedure.

Results: The prevalence of abortion, and preterm labor was 15.9%, 6.8%, of the total participants, and no significant differences recorded between both groups (p=0.32, 0.078; respectively). Moreover, there were no statistically significant differences in the development of hypertensive disorders or gestational diabetes mellitus between both groups. Vitamin B12 and calcium deficiencies were significantly higher in group (B) compared to group (A) (P= 0.036, 0.025; respectively). Cesarean delivery was performed in 36.3% of the total participants, and it was significantly higher in group (B) compared to group (A) (61.5% vs. 33.3%, p=0.016). The mean birth weight, and Apgar score showed statistical insignificant differences between both groups, and no neonatal mortality recorded in either group.

Conclusion: Bariatric surgery is the most effective treatment of obesity and related morbidities particularly at reproductive age group. Pregnancy after bariatric surgery is safe for mother and fetus but micronutrient deficiency should be managed properly before pregnancy to prevent adverse outcome.

Keywords:  Bariatric surgery, perinatal outcome, Cesarean delivery.

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Mohamed A Youssry MD   

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