Abstract
Objective
Maternal body mass index (BMI) and cardiac biomarkers, such as N-terminal pro-B-type
natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP), have been subjects of interest in obstetric research
due to their potential implications for maternal and fetal health. Previous studies
have explored the relationship between maternal BMI and various pregnancy outcomes,
but the impact on NT-proBNP levels remains unclear. This study aims to investigate
whether maternal BMI influences NT-proBNP levels in the third trimester of pregnancy,
which could provide insights into maternal cardiovascular health during late gestation.
Study Design
A total of 234 singleton pregnant women in their third trimester (28–40 weeks) were
recruited from Antenatal Care Clinic. Exclusion criteria included preexisting cardiac
or renal conditions, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and other specific medical conditions.
Participants were categorized into BMI groups (< 23, 23–24.9, 25–29.9, and ≥30 kg/m2), and their NT-proBNP levels were measured using quantitative enzyme-linked immunosorbent
assay kits. Statistical analyses including Spearman correlation, chi-squared test,
Kruskal–Wallis test, and regression analysis were performed to assess the association
between maternal BMI and NT-proBNP levels.
Results
The study population exhibited a range of BMI and NT-proBNP levels within normal ranges.
No significant correlation was found between maternal age, parity, and NT-proBNP levels.
Similarly, no significant association was observed between maternal BMI and NT-proBNP
levels across different BMI categories. Trend analyses showed no consistent relationship
between BMI and NT-proBNP levels. Multivariate and univariate regression analyses
confirmed the lack of significant association between maternal BMI and NT-proBNP levels.
Conclusion
Contrary to expectations, this study found no significant effect of maternal BMI on
NT-proBNP levels in the third trimester of pregnancy. These findings suggest that
factors other than maternal BMI may predominantly influence NT-proBNP levels during
late gestation. Further research is warranted to elucidate the complex interactions
between maternal physiology, BMI, and cardiovascular biomarkers during pregnancy.
Key Points
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This study aimed to examine the influence of maternal BMI on NT-proBNP.
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No significant correlation between maternal BMI and NT-proBNP levels was found.
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Other factors likely influence NT-proBNP levels, warranting further research.
Keywords
maternal BMI - NT-proBNP - observational study - pregnancy - third trimester
