Bariatic surgery doubles congenital abnormalities in babies

Posted on by kaitiscotland

From BMJ 30 Nov 19

A retrospective analysis from Quebec of 2 million pregnant women who had delivered between 1989 and 2016 showed that offspring of women who had become pregnant after bariatric surgery had roughly twice the risk of birth defects compared to women who were not obese or who were obese but had not had surgery.

The defects were mainly heart and musculoskeletal defects.

My comment: This short report does not go into possible causes for this. You would have thought that the risk would have been reduced to the level of the non obese women. I wonder if nutritional issues have a part to play as after bariatric surgery long term vitamin supplements need to be taken. 

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Published by kaitiscotland

I am a Scottish doctor who is working to improve the outcomes for people who have diabetes using a low carb diet, and advanced insulin techniques when necessary. Professionally I provide expert witness reports in the clinical forensic and family medicine areas and I also provide complementary therapies. I enjoy cooking, cinema, reading, travel and cats.

4 thoughts on “Bariatic surgery doubles congenital abnormalities in babies”

  2. I wonder if it is related to nutrition? Is it true that people who have bariatic surgery then are required to have special vitamins for the rest of their life?

    Liked by 1 person

  3. Yes, Rick. Parts of the stomach and intestine that absorb vitamins and minerals get cut out. They have to take life long supplements. Of course, I don’t know exactly why the offspring is more susceptible to abnormalities.

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