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Hypertension in pregnancy and size at birth
K Himmelmann1, A Himmelmann, A Niklasson
1Department of Pediatrics, Mölndal Hospital, Göteborg University, Sweden.
Insights
Hypertensive pregnancies often result in lower birth weight and shorter gestational periods for newborns. However, intrauterine growth retardation is not a universal characteristic of pregnancies complicated by hypertension.
Area of Science:
- Obstetrics
- Perinatology
- Cardiovascular Health
Background:
- Low birth weight and high placental weight are linked to increased cardiovascular risks.
- Hypertensive pregnancies are a known risk factor for intrauterine growth retardation and higher offspring blood pressure.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe birth size and perinatal characteristics in infants born after hypertensive pregnancies.
- To compare these outcomes with infants from normotensive pregnancies.
Main Methods:
- A cohort study of 17,000 deliveries over five years in eastern Göteborg.
- Comparison of 261 pregnancies with hypertension against 260 matched normotensive pregnancies.
- Calculation of standard deviation scores for birth weight (BWSDS) and length (BLSDS) using Swedish national data.
Main Results:
- Infants from hypertensive pregnancies had lower birth weight, were shorter, and had shorter gestational periods.
- Head circumference and placental weight showed no significant differences between groups.
- No significant differences in birth weight standard deviation scores (BWSDS) were observed.
Conclusions:
- Hypertensive pregnancies are associated with reduced birth weight and shorter gestation.
- Intrauterine growth retardation is not a general feature of all hypertensive pregnancies.
Abstract:
Low birth weight and high placental weight are associated with increased cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Children born after hypertensive pregnancies have higher blood pressure than children born after normotensive pregnancies. Hypertension in pregnancy is considered a major risk factor for intrauterine growth retardation. The present study describes size at birth and perinatal characteristics in children born after hypertensive pregnancies. During five consecutive years 17,000 deliveries took place in the well defined geographic area of eastern Göteborg. Hypertension in pregnancy complicated 261 pregnancies. For comparison 260 normotensive pregnancies, matched for maternal age and time of delivery, were used. Standard deviation score for birth weight and length were calculated according to reference standards for birth weight (BWSDS) and length (BLSDS) based on all Swedish births 1977-1981 (n = 475,588). Children born after hypertensive pregnancies had lower birth weight, were shorter and had a shorter gestational period as compared with children born after normotensive pregnancies. Head circumference and placental weight did not differ and there were no significant differences in BWSDS. It is concluded that hypertensive pregnancies are characterized by lower birth weight and shorter gestational period. However, intrauterine growth retardation is not a general characteristic of hypertension in pregnancy.