The Association Between Maternal Obesity and Congenital Heart Defects in Fetuses: A Retrospective Cohort Study Using Fetal Echocardiography Publisher



Yousefi M ; Berenjegani A M ; Afousi Z H ; Aghaali M ; Rezvan S ; Atarod M H ; Salamroudi S ; Arjmandnia M H
Source: Journal of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Cancer Research Published:2026

Abstract

Background & Objective: Congenital Heart Disease (CHD) is the most common congenital anomaly and is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Maternal obesity has been proposed as a potential risk factor for CHD; however, existing evidence remains inconsistent. This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between maternal obesity (BMI≥30) and the occurrence of CHD in fetuses using fetal echocardiography. Materials & Methods: This retrospective cohort study included 430 pregnant women (215 obese and 215 non-obese) referred to the pediatric cardiology clinic at Hazrat Masoumeh Hospital, Qom, between 2014 and 2023. Demographic and clinical data were extracted from medical records. Fetal echocardiography was performed at 18-20 weeks of gestation. Statistical analyses were conducted using SPSS software, employing t-tests and chi-square tests. Results: The mean maternal age was 24.58 years in the obese group and 25.18 years in the non-obese group (P=0.133). Cardiac anomalies were detected in 15.3% of fetuses of obese mothers and 17.2% of fetuses of non-obese mothers (P=0.601). Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCMP) and Tetralogy of Fallot (TOF) were more frequently observed in obese mothers, whereas Ventricular Septal Defect (VSD) and Coarctation of the Aorta (COA) were more frequently observed in non-obese mothers. No statistically significant association was found between maternal obesity and the occurrence of CHD. Conclusion: Maternal obesity was not significantly associated with the incidence of congenital heart defects or structural cardiac anomalies in fetuses. Given the conflicting findings in previous studies, larger and more comprehensive investigations are needed to clarify this relationship. © 2026.