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Effects of Preeclampsia on Maternal and Pediatric Health at 11 Years Postpartum
Stephanie E Chan1, Jessica Pudwell1, Graeme N Smith1
1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Kingston General Hospital, Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada.
Insights
Preeclampsia (PE) is linked to increased cardiovascular risk factors and developmental delays in children approximately 11 years later. Early screening and intervention during pregnancy and postpartum are crucial for long-term health.
Area of Science:
- Obstetrics and Gynecology
- Cardiology
- Developmental Pediatrics
Background:
- Preeclampsia (PE) is a pregnancy complication with potential long-term health implications.
- Cardiovascular risk (CVR) factors and childhood development are key areas of concern following PE.
- Understanding the long-term effects of PE is crucial for maternal and child health outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between preeclampsia and cardiovascular risk factors approximately 11 years postpartum.
- To assess the long-term impact of preeclampsia on childhood development.
- To identify opportunities for early screening and intervention.
Main Methods:
- A prospective cohort study comparing women with and without a history of preeclampsia.
- Mailed surveys collected data on cardiovascular risk markers and child development using the Vineland-3 scale.
- Statistical analysis compared CVR markers and developmental outcomes between PE and control groups.
Main Results:
- Women with a history of preeclampsia showed significantly higher rates of hypertension (69.2%) compared to controls (21.4%) at 11 years postpartum.
- Children born to mothers with preeclampsia had lower adaptive functioning scores (median 58) compared to control children (median 81).
- These findings indicate persistent cardiovascular risks and developmental differences in offspring.
Conclusions:
- Preeclampsia is associated with lasting cardiovascular risks and altered childhood development up to 11 years postpartum.
- Pregnancy and postpartum periods represent critical windows for maternal and child health screening.
- Early interventions can promote health preservation and disease prevention in mothers and children affected by PE.
Objective:
To determine the association of preeclampsia (PE) with the presence of cardiovascular risk (CVR) factors at approximately 11 years postpartum and to assess the longer term effect of PE on childhood development.
Study Design:
A mail-out survey was sent to all women who were previously recruited into the Kingston arm of the Pre-Eclampsia New Emerging Team's prospective cohort (n = 112 PE and n = 150 control). Physical and biochemical CVR markers were compared between the two groups. Physical, social, and cognitive development of the children involved in the pregnancies was evaluated using the Vineland-3 Domain-Level Parent/Caregiver Form.
Results:
Thirteen PE women and 28 control women returned the study questionnaire. Based on the 2017 American Heart Association High Blood Pressure Clinical Practice Guidelines, 9/13 (69.2%) of the PE women, compared with 6/28 (21.4%) of the control women, have hypertension (p < 0.01). The median percentile rank for overall adaptive functioning was 58 (interquartile range [IQR: 21-73]) in the PE children and 81 (IQR: 61-94) in the control children (p < 0.05).
Conclusion:
The development of PE leads to longer term changes in CVR markers and in childhood development at approximately 11 years postpartum. Pregnancy and the postpartum provide an early window of opportunity for early maternal and child screening and intervention for health preservation and disease prevention.
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