Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) in Mothers and Negative Outcomes of Pregnancy: A Narrative Review

Abstract

Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) lead to 74% fatalities worldwide including disproportionate impact on the low and middle-income nations including Pakistan. With a population of 255 million, Pakistan ranks as the fifth most populous country globally, where 64% of the people reside in rural areas. In Pakistan, the swift increase in premature deaths poses a significant threat. Even though there have been worldwide advancements in maternal and newborn health (MNH), the rates of maternal, fetal, and newborn mortality in Pakistan continue to be unchanged. Despite having a detailed National Action Plan, there have been no significant policy-level advancements to address this issue.
NCDs elevate the risk of negative pregnancy results such as preterm deliveries, caesarean deliveries, and low weight at birth, which result in detrimental effects on the mother, the child, as well as the future generations health across generations, stemming from negative pregnancy results that greatly heighten the likelihood of adult offspring developing NCDs. In developing countries such as Pakistan, diseases that result in negative pregnancy outcomes and endanger the health of future generations represent not only a health threat but also an economic one. The long-term consequences of these effects can diminish the nation’s overall productivity.
A comprehensive literature search was conducted on PubMed and Google Scholar. Reports from the W.H.O, various national and international organizations were also examined. Common non-communicable diseases (NCDs) were identified, and the prevalence of major diseases which include diabetes, obesity, cardiac diseases, hypertension, diseases of the respiratory tract among mothers was examined, along with their effects on newborns. Further investigation is needed regarding the evaluation of long-term effects of maternal NCDs on the children born to these mothers to identify potential mechanisms and pharmacological treatments for managing or preventing maternal NCDs. In order to identify specific risk factors linked to these NCDs and prioritize intervention areas, it is essential to conduct a thorough nationwide study.