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Blood pressure, growth retardation, and preterm delivery
R L Goldenberg1, S P Cliver, G R Cutter
1University of Alabama, Birmingham.
Insights
Both low and high blood pressure levels during pregnancy are linked to intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR) and preterm delivery (PTD). Low pressures correlate with spontaneous PTD, while high pressures are associated with indicated PTD.
Area of Science:
- Obstetrics and Gynecology
- Maternal-Fetal Medicine
- Cardiovascular Physiology in Pregnancy
Background:
- Pregnancy involves significant physiological changes, including alterations in blood pressure.
- Intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR) and preterm delivery (PTD) are major adverse pregnancy outcomes.
- The precise relationship between various blood pressure levels and these outcomes requires further elucidation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between different levels of systolic and diastolic blood pressure during pregnancy and the incidence of IUGR and PTD.
- To differentiate the types of PTD (spontaneous vs. indicated) associated with abnormal blood pressure readings.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of pregnancy data.
- Categorization of blood pressure readings (systolic and diastolic) at various gestational times.
- Statistical evaluation of the correlation between blood pressure categories and the occurrence of IUGR and PTD.
Main Results:
- Both low and high systolic and diastolic blood pressures were significantly associated with increased rates of IUGR and PTD.
- Low blood pressure levels showed a tendency towards association with spontaneous preterm deliveries.
- High blood pressure levels were more frequently linked to indicated preterm deliveries.
Conclusions:
- Blood pressure extremes, both hypotensive and hypertensive, during pregnancy pose risks for adverse fetal and neonatal outcomes.
- The pattern of PTD (spontaneous vs. indicated) may differ based on whether blood pressure is low or high.
- Monitoring and management of blood pressure throughout pregnancy are critical for preventing IUGR and PTD.
Abstract:
The effect of various levels of both diastolic and systolic blood pressure at various times during pregnancy on the rates of intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR) and preterm delivery (PTD) were determined. Low systolic and diastolic pressures were associated with both IUGR and PTD, as were high pressures. Low pressures tended to be associated with spontaneous preterm deliveries, whereas high pressures were associated with more indicated preterm deliveries.