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Antenatal Testing in Obese Woman, is it Really Necessary?

Not Applicable
Conditions
Obesity in Pregnancy
Registration Number
NCT02821988
Lead Sponsor
University of Tennessee
Brief Summary

It is well established that obese women are at an increased risk of stillbirth compared to non obese women. This has led many physicians to begin antenatal testing in obese women in the third trimester through either nonstress tests or biophysical profiles. However, there is little evidence that antenatal testing improves fetal outcomes in obese women. The aim of this study is to determine if antenatal testing improves outcomes in obese women and to determine the optimal mode of testing (either nonstress tests or biophysical profiles).

Detailed Description

1. Purpose: To determine if antenatal testing improves outcomes in obese pregnant women

2. Rationale: It has been well established that obese pregnant women are at increase risk of stillbirth compared to matched non obese controls. This relative risk is increased not only with increasing gestational age in obese women but with increasing severity of obesity. The increased risk of stillbirth has led some obstetricians to begin antenatal testing in obese women; however, there is little evidence that antenatal fetal surveillance improves outcomes.

3. Study/Project Population: Pregnant women before 32 weeks of gestation with an initial BMI \>30kg/m2

4. Research Design: Randomized Controlled Trial

5. Study/Project Procedures: Patients will be randomized to one of three groups: daily kick counts only, nonstress test, amniotic fluid index, and daily kick counts, and biophysical profile and daily kick counts. These patients will be randomly assigned a group in a 1:1:1 ratio using a random number generator available online. Patients assigned to the daily kick counts only group will be called weekly to ensure they are doing daily kick counts. If they are noncompliant, they will be removed from the study and will undergo nonstress tests if they meet the initial BMI criteria as is the standard practice at our institution.

6. Outcomes Measured: Stillbirth, induction of labor, mode of delivery, neonatal intensive care unit admission, AGPARs \<7 at 5 minutes of life

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
UNKNOWN
Sex
Female
Target Recruitment
100
Inclusion Criteria

less then 32 weeks gestation BMI > 30kg/m2 English speaking

Exclusion Criteria

age < 18 age >45 medical comorbidity which requires antenatal testing other than obesity unwilling to consent Non-English speaking not pregnant Gestational age >32 weeks

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
SINGLE_GROUP
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Stillbirthuntil delivery, up to 41 weeks

demise of infant prior to delivery as verified by ultrasonography

Mode of deliveryat delivery, up to 41 weeks

whether the subject undergoes a vaginal delivery, cesarean delivery, or operative delivery will be recorded

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Apgar score of less than 7 at 5 minutesat delivery, up to 41 weeks
Neonatal intensive care unit admission admissionat delivery, up to 41 weeks

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