Overview

• A BMJ Medicine analysis shows children born to mothers with BMI ≥35 face 41% higher infection admission rates under one year and 53% higher rates between ages five and fifteen.
• The study tracked 9,540 offspring in the Born in Bradford cohort from birth through age 15, adjusting for maternal age, ethnicity and deprivation.
• Cesarean delivery accounted for 21% and childhood obesity at ages four to five accounted for 26% of the elevated infection risk, highlighting intervention opportunities.
• Male offspring and children of Pakistani heritage experienced stronger associations between maternal BMI and infection admissions than females and white British peers.
• With maternal obesity projected to affect 23% of pregnant women by 2030, experts urge pre-pregnancy weight management campaigns to curb long-term infection burdens.