Adipose tissue changes in pregnant women depending on their initial anthropometric data

Aim. The aim of this article is to estimate the dynamics of adipose tissue changes in pregnant women depending on their initial anthropometric data. Material and methods. 140 women with a single-birth pregnancy occurred during a natural cycle and completed with a birth on time took part in a cohort longitudinal study. All women were divided into 3 groups depending on their pre-pregnancy body mass index (BMI): with normal body mass (n = 56), with excess body mass (n = 44) and with obesity (n = 40). We assessed the mass and percentage of adipose tissue using impedancemetry. Subcutaneous and visceral fat were studied with the help of ultrasound. The examination was performed three times during pregnancy: in the first, second and third trimesters. Results. It has been established that pre-pregnancy BMI is closely associated with the mass (r = 0,534, p = 0,0001) and percentage of adipose tissue (r = 0,562, p = 0,003). In the first trimester, the strongest correlation was found between BMI and subcutaneous fat thickness (r = 0,452; p ˂ 0,0001). Maximum increase in fat mass was registered in the II trimester in women with normal and excess mass (pI-II ˂ 0,05). By the end of the third trimester, fat mass increased by 4,8 (3,6-4,9) kg in women with normal body weight, by 3,7 (2,8-4,2) kg in the group with excess mass and by 1,5 (1,3-2,4) kg in the group with obesity. In pregnant women with normal and excess mass, FM accumulation was accompanied by the increase in the abdominal wall fat index (AFI), reflecting the localization of fat deposits mainly in the visceral region. In women with obesity, the mass and nature of fat deposits during pregnancy did not change significantly. Conclusion. The most pronounced adipose tissue changes are typical for pregnant women with normal and excess body mass and expressed in the accumulation of adipose tissue predominantly in the abdominal region.