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In 2000, there were 27,000 stillbirths in the U.S.; in almost half those cases, the cause was unknown. Increased risk for stillbirth among obese women compared with normal-weight women has been observed, but the magnitude of this association is unclear. Obesity in the U.S. is on the rise, so clarifying the relation of this modifiable condition to stillbirth is particularly important.
In a meta-analysis, investigators reviewed data sources on obesity and maternal outcomes from 1980 through 2005. Nine studies were included in the analysis to determine odds ratios for stillbirth among three groups of pregnant women: those who were overweight, obese, or of normal weight or BMI. Most studies included only nulliparous women, and most subjects came…