Fetal Spina Bifida Repair in Obese Mothers: Is Maternal and Fetal Safety Compromised?

Introduction: The Management of Myelomeningocele Study (MOMS) eligibility criteria preclude in utero surgery for fetal spina bifida (fSB) when the maternal body mass index (BMI) is ≥35 kg/m 2 . Some centers still respect this criterion, while others, like ours, do not. This study aimed to assess whether maternal and fetal safety is compromised with higher maternal BMIs. Methods: Data of 192 patients with open fSB repair at our center were retrospectively analyzed. According to their BMI, patients were divided into three groups: group 1 (BMI 35 kg/m 2 ). Subgroup analysis was performed to assess differences in maternal and fetal outcomes. Additionally, complications were divided into grades 1 to 5 according to their severity and outcome consequences and compared among groups. Results: Out of 192 patients, 146 (76.0%) had a BMI 35 kg/m 2 . Significant differences occurring more often in either group 2 or 3 compared to group 1 were maternal wound seroma (50% or 56% vs. 32%, p = 0.04), amniotic fluid leakage (14% or 6% vs. 2%, p = 0.01) as well as vaginal bleeding (11% or 35% vs. 9%, p = 0.01). On the contrary, duration of tocolysis with atosiban was shorter in patients with BMI >30 kg/m 2 (4 or 5 vs. 6 days, p = 0.01). When comparing severity of maternal or fetal complications, grade 1 intervention-related complications occurred significantly more often in group 3 compared to group 1 or 2 (78% vs. 45% or 57%, p = 0.02). Gestational age at delivery was around 36 weeks in all groups without significant differences. Conclusion: This investigation did not identify clinically relevant maternal and/or fetal outcome problems related to BMIs >35 kg/m 2 . Additional studies are however needed to confirm our results.