The Impact of Maternal BMI and Weight Gain During Pregnancy on Offspring's Cardiovascular Health
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By
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Hui Wang
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Jette Möller
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Yajun Liang
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Imre Janszky
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Krisztina D. László
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September 1, 2026
Clinical Scorecard: The Impact of Maternal BMI and Weight Gain During Pregnancy on Offspring's Cardiovascular Health
At a Glance
| Category | Detail |
|---|
| Condition | Cardiovascular Disease (CVD) |
| Key Mechanisms | Maternal BMI and gestational weight gain (GWG) influence intrauterine environment and offspring cardiovascular risk. |
| Target Population | Women of reproductive age and their offspring. |
| Care Setting | Prenatal and maternal care settings. |
Key Highlights
- Maternal overweight and obesity affect 44% of women of reproductive age.
- Greater maternal GWG linked to adverse birth outcomes and cardiometabolic profiles in offspring.
- CVD risk factors may originate during the prenatal period.
Guideline-Based Recommendations
Diagnosis
- Assess maternal BMI and GWG during early pregnancy.
Management
- Monitor maternal weight gain to optimize pregnancy outcomes.
Monitoring & Follow-up
- Follow offspring for CVD outcomes into adulthood.
Risks
- Inadequate or excessive GWG may increase offspring CVD risk.
Patient & Prescribing Data
Pregnant women with varying BMI categories.
Focus on managing maternal weight gain to mitigate risks for offspring.
Clinical Best Practices
- Utilize the Swedish Medical Birth Register for comprehensive maternal and offspring data.
- Implement early prenatal care to monitor maternal health indicators.
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