Pregnancy outcomes after bariatric surgery

Roberta Scairati; Christine Newman; Louise Carmody; Breda Kirwan; Lorraine McDermott; Mairead Crowley; Paula O; Fidelma Dunne

doi:10.1530/endoabs.115.P2

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Endocrine Abstracts (2026) 115 P2 | DOI: 10.1530/endoabs.115.P2

IES2025 Research, Audit and Quality Improvement Projects Physical Posters (55 abstracts)

Pregnancy outcomes after bariatric surgery

Roberta Scairati ^1,2 , Christine Newman ^1,2,3 , Louise Carmody ³ , Breda Kirwan ³ , Lorraine McDermott ³ , Mairead Crowley ³ , Paula O’Shea ^1,2,3,4 & Fidelma Dunne ^1,2,3

Author affiliations

¹College of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, University of Galway, Ireland; ²HRB Clinical Research Facility Galway, University of Galway, Co Galway, Ireland; ³Galway University Hospital, Newcastle Road, Co Galway, Ireland; ⁴Department of Biochemistry, University College Dublin, Ireland

Bariatric surgery is increasingly performed in women of reproductive age to reduce obesity-related complications and restore ovulatory function. However, postoperative anatomical and metabolic changes may affect pregnancy by altering nutritional status, glycemic control, and fetal growth, potentially increasing the risk of adverse outcomes. We retrospectively analyzed 39 pregnancies (38 singleton, 1 twin) in women with previous bariatric surgery. Maternal anthropometric parameters, surgery-to-conception interval, antenatal and perinatal complications and vitamin profiles were collected. Sleeve gastrectomy was the most frequently performed procedure (n = 27, 69.2%), followed by gastric banding (n = 6, 15.4%), unspecified bariatric surgery (n = 4, 10.2%) and gastric bypass (n = 1, 2.6%). Pregnancy occurred 2.6±2 years after surgery. At booking, mean age was 32±5.2 years and BMI of 32±5.8 kg/m2, with a gestational weight gain of 7.8±5.9 kg. Gestational diabetes (GDM) was diagnosed in 28.2% of pregnancies. Micronutrient deficiency, particularly iron, vitamin A, and B 12/folate, was more prevalent among women who underwent sleeve gastrectomy (91% vs. 61%, P < 0.0001), and was associated with lower neonatal birthweight (median 2950g vs. 3225g, P = 0.04). However, adjusting for surgery type, this association was not confirmed (β=–270.4 g, P = 0.17). Maternal complications occurred in 59% of pregnancies. Cesarean delivery occurred in 46.2% (17.9% emergency). Preterm birth (5.1%), macrosomia (7.7%) and NICU admission (10%), rarely occurred. Pregnancy after bariatric surgery is generally safe, with low rates of serious maternal and neonatal complications. Sleeve gastrectomy was associated with significantly higher rates of micronutrient deficiency. These findings support the need for preconception counselling in this cohort.