Neonatal outcomes of early- and late-onset preeclampsia

The aim of the current study was to demonstrate the neonatal outcomes of infants born to mothers with early-onset preeclampsia (EP) and late-onset preeclampsia (LP), and compare the neonatal outcomes before and after 34 weeks of gestation in EP group.

In this retrospective study, we evaluated preeclamptic mother and child pairs who were followedup at Hacettepe University Hospital between the years 2010 and 2017. The pregnant women were classified as having EP if diagnosed before 34 weeks of gestation (n=91) and LP if diagnosed after 34 weeks of gestation (n=34). The women in the EP group were further divided into subgroups according to the gestational week at birth, including those who gave birth before 34 weeks of gestation (early birth; n=57) and after 34 weeks of gestation (late birth; n=34). Necessary clinical and demographic data were withdrawn from the electronic registry and patient files.

Neonates in the EP/late birth subgroup had significantly lower gestational age and birthweight. Small for gestational age (SGA) frequency was higher in the early-onset subgroup born after 34 weeks` gestation compared to the late-onset preeclampsia group (p= 0,016). The incidence of neutropenia was significantly higher in the EP/late birth subgroup than in the LP group (p= 0.002). After correcting for gestational week and birth weight, neutrophil count was still significantly lower in the EP/late birth subgroup (p= 0.002). EP/late birth subgroup and LP group had comparable outcomes regardless of neutrophil count and SGA rate.

Close follow up and postponing delivery in stable and appropriate pregnant women with preeclampsia would be beneficial for neonates.