Association between hypertensive disorders of pregnancy and long-term neurodevelopmental outcomes in the offspring

Author(s):  
Anna Palatnik ◽  
Brian M Casey ◽  
Michael Varner ◽  
Yoram Sorokin ◽  
Uma M. Reddy ◽  
...  

Objective: The long-term impact of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP) exposure on offspring health is an emerging research area. The objective of this study was to evaluate the association between a maternal diagnosis of HDP (gestational hypertension and preeclampsia) and adverse neurodevelopmental outcomes in the offspring. Study Design: A secondary analysis of two parallel multicenter clinical trials of thyroxine therapy for subclinical hypothyroid disorders in pregnancy. Women with singleton non-anomalous gestations diagnosed with subclinical hypothyroidism or hypothyroxinemia were randomized to thyroxine therapy or placebo. The primary outcome was child intelligence quotient (IQ) at 5 years of age. Secondary outcomes were Bayley-III cognitive, motor and language scores at 12 and 24 months, DAS-II scores at 36 months, the Conners’ Rating Scales-Revised at 48 months, and scores from the Child Behavior Checklist at 36 and 60 months. Associations between neurodevelopment outcomes and maternal HDP were examined using univariable and multivariable analyses. Results: A total of 112 woman-child dyads with HDP were compared with 1067 woman-child dyads without HDP. In univariable analysis, mean maternal age (26.7±5.9 vs. 27.8±5.7 years, p=0.032) and nulliparity (45.5% vs. 31.0%, p=0.002) differed significantly between the two groups. Maternal socioeconomic characteristics did not differ between the groups. After adjusting for potential confounders, there were no significant differences in primary or secondary neurodevelopment outcome between offspring exposed to HDP and those unexposed. However, when dichotomized as low or high scores, we found higher rates of language delay (language scores <85: -1 standard deviation) at two years of age among offspring exposed to HDP compared with those unexposed (46.5% versus 30.5%, adjusted odds ratio 2.22, 95% CI 1.44 - 3.42). Conclusions: In this cohort of pregnant women, HDP diagnosis was associated with language delay at 2 years of age. However, other long-term neurodevelopmental outcomes in offspring were not associated with HDP.

2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Heike Roth ◽  
Caroline S. E. Homer ◽  
Clare Arnott ◽  
Lynne Roberts ◽  
Mark Brown ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP) affect 5–10% of pregnant women. Women after HDP have 2–3 times increased risk of heart attack, stroke and diabetes, as soon as 5–10 years after pregnancy. Australian healthcare providers’ knowledge of cardiovascular disease (CVD) risks for women after HDP is unknown, and this study aimed to explore their current knowledge and practice regarding long-term cardiovascular health after HDP, as a precursor to producing targeted healthcare provider education on health after HDP. Methods A custom-created, face-validated online survey explored knowledge about long-term risks after HDP. Distribution occurred from February to July 2019 via professional colleges, key organisations and social media. The objective was to assess current knowledge and knowledge gaps amongst a group of healthcare providers (HCP) in Australia, regarding long-term cardiovascular health after hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP), specifically gestational hypertension or preeclampsia. Results Of 492 respondents, 203 were midwives, 188 obstetricians, 75 general practitioners (GP), and 26 cardiologists. A risk knowledge score was computed with 0–6 considered low, 6.1–8.9 moderate and 9–12 high. Most participants (85%) were aware of increased cardiovascular disease after preeclampsia and gestational hypertension (range 76% midwives to 100% cardiologists). There were significant differences in average knowledge scores regarding health after preeclampsia; high for cardiologists (9.3), moderate for GPs and obstetricians (8.2 and 7.6 respectively) and low for midwives (5.9). Average knowledge scores were somewhat lower for gestational hypertension (9.0 for cardiologists, 7.4 for obstetricians and GPs, 5.1 for midwives). Knowledge was highest regarding risk of chronic hypertension, moderate to high regarding risk of ischaemic heart disease, stroke and recurring HDP, and low for diabetes and peripheral vascular disease. Only 34% were aware that risks start < 10 years after the affected pregnancy. Conclusion(s) Participants were aware there is increased cardiovascular risk after HDP, although less aware of risks after gestational hypertension and some specific risks including diabetes. Findings will inform the development of targeted education.


Neurology ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 10.1212/WNL.0000000000013226
Author(s):  
Johanna Yun ◽  
Mehdi Bouslama

Women with gestational hypertension and pre-eclampsia, termed hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP), are at risk of developing cardiovascular disease and potentially cognitive impairment years after pregnancy. In their study, Adank et al. hypothesized that patients with HDP might have worse cognitive performance compared to women with previous normotensive pregnancies and sought to evaluate long-term cognitive performance in these two populations. In this Journal Club paper, we aim to review key study findings and discuss potential shortcomings and future directions.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dolina Gencheva ◽  
Fedya Nikolov ◽  
Ekaterina Uchikova ◽  
Rosen Mihaylov ◽  
Blagovesta Pencheva ◽  
...  

Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy are one of the leading causes of fetal and maternal mortality worldwide. Aside from the immediate risk they pose for the pregnant woman, there is significant evidence that women after such a pregnancy have a long-term risk for the development of cardiovascular diseases. On the other hand, Galectin-3 is a biomarker that has proven its role in cardiac remodeling, fibrosis, and heart failure. To determine the levels of Galectin-3 in women with gestational hypertension, preeclampsia, and in healthy pregnant women and test for association with premature birth. A prospective single-center clinical, epidemiological study was performed, and data were analyzed for 123 pregnant women-36 with gestational hypertension, 37 with preeclampsia, and 50 controls. ELISA method was used to determine the serum levels of Galectin-3. Mean Galectin-3 level was 6,53 ng/ml in the controls, 7.30 ng/ml in the gestational hypertension group, and 7,59 ng/ml in the preeclampsia group. There was a significant difference in the levels between the controls and each of the pathological groups (P<0,05), while the two pathological groups were not statistically different from each other. Additionally, higher Galectin-3 levels were associated with an OR~2.5 for even preterm birth after adjustment for the presence of the two hypertensive disorders of pregnancy. Gestational hypertension and preeclampsia were associated with significantly higher levels of Galectin-3, which could be indicative of cardiovascular dysfunction in those women, and were also related to premature birth.


BMJ Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (7) ◽  
pp. e046638
Author(s):  
Sk Masum Billah ◽  
Abdullah Nurus Salam Khan ◽  
S M Rokonuzzaman ◽  
Nafisa Lira Huq ◽  
Marufa Aziz Khan ◽  
...  

Study objectiveTo evaluate the competency of trained health workers in detecting and managing hypertensive disorders of pregnancy during routine antenatal check-ups (ANCs) at primary care facilities in Bangladesh.Study design and settingsCross-sectional study; conducted in 26 primary care facilities.Outcome measuresAccurate diagnosis of the hypertensive disorders of pregnancy.MethodIn total 1560 ANC consultations provided by primary health workers, known as Family Welfare Visitors (FWVs), were observed using a structured checklist between October 2017 and February 2018. All consultations were reassessed by study physicians for validation.ResultOf the ‘true’ cases of gestational hypertension (n=32), pre-eclampsia (n=29) and severe pre-eclampsia (n=16), only 3%, 7% and 25%, respectively, were correctly diagnosed by FWVs. Per cent agreement for the diagnosed cases of any hypertensive disorders of pregnancy was 9% and kappa statistics was 0.50 (p value 0.0125). For identification of any hypertensive disorders by FWVs, sensitivity and positive predictive values were 14% and 50%, respectively. There was a moderate positive correlation between the blood pressure measurements taken by FWVs and study physicians. Only 27% of those who had ‘some protein’ in urine were correctly identified by FWVs. Women diagnosed with any of the hypertensive disorders of pregnancy by FWVs were more likely to be counselled on at least one danger sign of pre-eclampsia (severe headache, blurring of vision and upper abdominal pain) than those without any such diagnosis (41% vs 19%, p value 0.008). All four cases of severe pre-eclampsia diagnosed by FWVs were given a loading dose of intramuscular magnesium sulphate and three among them were referred to a higher facility.ConclusionThe FWVs should be appropriately trained on risk assessment of pregnant women with particular emphasis on accurately assessing the diagnostic criteria of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy and its management.


2017 ◽  
Vol 21 (3) ◽  
pp. 296-299 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ann A Wang ◽  
Linda M Ernst ◽  
Emily S Miller

Introduction Basal plate myometrium (BPMYO), the pathological presence of myometrial fibers in the basal plate, is a common finding on pathological examination of the placenta, yet its clinical correlates are not well studied. As myometrial fibers are frequently located in proximity to poorly converted maternal spiral arteries, our objective was to determine whether BPMYO is associated with hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP), a well-known clinical sequela of abnormal maternal artery remodeling. Methods This case–control study included women who delivered a live-born singleton gestation whose placentas were sent for pathological examination. Cases were women with HDP (gestational hypertension, preeclampsia, or HELLP syndrome) as defined by American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Controls were women without HDP. Women with chronic hypertension were excluded. The primary outcome was the presence of BPMYO. Secondary outcomes included the pathologic stage of BPMYO and the incidence of pathologically defined accreta. Each outcome was compared between cases and controls in bivariable and multivariable analyses. Results Of the 306 women who met inclusion criteria, 230 (75%) had HDP. BPMYO was present in 99 (32%) of placentas. Compared to controls, cases were younger, had higher body mass index, and were more likely to have diabetes, be nulliparous, deliver preterm, and have had a prior cesarean. There were no differences in the incidence of BPMYO, stage of BPMYO, or incidence of pathologically defined accreta between cases and controls. These findings persisted after controlling for potential confounders. Conclusions Although BPMYO may be more common in the setting of abnormal placental vasculature, there is no significant association between BPMYO and HDP.


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