Preeclampsia: From Etiopathology to Organ Dysfunction

Preeclampsia is a hypertensive disorder of pregnancy affecting 6–12% of the population. There are various risk factors for the development of preeclampsia, ranging from advanced maternal age to genetics. The proposed etiologies for preeclampsia are abnormal placentation, immunological intolerance, endothelial damage, and genetic inheritance. The pathogenesis includes endothelial activation and dysfunction leading to vasospasm. Preeclampsia is divided into two stages: asymptomatic and symptomatic stages. Preeclampsia causes multiple organ involvement, namely central nervous system, respiratory, cardiovascular, hematological dysfunction, HELLP (hemolysis elevated liver enzymes, low platelets) syndrome, endocrine, renal, hepatic, and uteroplacental dysfunction. These organ dysfunctions increase morbidity and mortality in preeclamptic pregnant patients.

Maternal serum lactate dehydrogenase level and adverse pregnancy outcomes in women with hypertensive disorder of pregnancy at a tertiary care centre: a retrospective study

Background: Hypertensive disorder of pregnancy affect 6-8% of all pregnancies, contributing immensely to maternal morbidity and mortality. Thus, presence of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) signifies tissue damage and haemolysis. The aim of the study was to correlate LDH levels with blood pressure ranges and maternal and foetal outcome in women with gestational hypertension, pre-eclampsia.Methods: This retrospective study was conducted in the department of obstetrics and gynaecology of AJ Institute of Medical Sciences and Research Centre, Mangalore for a period of 1 year (January 2020 to January 2021). Based on the eligibility criteria, 52 hypertensive pregnant women were enrolled as cases.Results: Mean±SD period of gestation at delivery was lowest (34.57±1.39 weeks) for pregnant women with S. LDH levels>800 IU/l, whereas with S. LDH<00 IU/l delivered at around 37 weeks of gestation. Mean Apgar scores were lowest for the babies born to hypertensive pregnant women>800 IU/l, mean±SD Apgar scores at the end of 1 min, 5 minutes and 10 min were 4.42±0.79, 4.75±2.26 and 5.50±2.65 respectively.Conclusions: It can be concluded that S. LDH has the potential to be considered as a screening tool or predictor of the outcome of pregnancy in women with hypertensive disorders of pregnancy. However, studies of larger magnitude may be required to confirm the presence and the strength of association of S. LDH levels with pregnancy outcome.

Adverse Perinatal Outcomes Associated with Stage 1 Hypertension in Pregnancy: A Retrospective Cohort Study

Objective To determine if women who newly met criteria for stage 1 hypertension in early pregnancy were at increased risk for adverse perinatal outcomes compared with normotensive women. Study Design We conducted a retrospective cohort study of women who had prenatal care at a single institution and subsequently delivered a live infant between December 2017 and August 2019. Women with a singleton gestation who had at least two prenatal visits prior to 20 weeks of gestation were included. We excluded women with known chronic hypertension or other major maternal illness. Two groups were identified: (1) women newly diagnosed with stage 1 hypertension before 20 weeks of gestation (blood pressure [BP] 130–139/80–89 on at least two occasions) and (2) women with no known history of hypertension and normal BP (<130/80 mm Hg) before 20 weeks of gestation. The primary outcome was any hypertensive disorder of pregnancy; secondary outcomes were indicated preterm birth and small for gestational age. Generalized linear models were used to compare risk of adverse outcomes between the groups. Results Of the 1,630 women included in the analysis, 1,443 women were normotensive prior to 20 weeks of gestation and 187 women (11.5%) identified with stage 1 hypertension. Women with stage 1 hypertension were at significantly increased risk for any hypertensive disorder of pregnancy (adjusted risk ratio [aRR]: 1.86, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.12–3.04) and indicated preterm birth (aRR: 1.83, 95% CI: 1.12–3.02). Black women and obese women with stage 1 hypertension were at increased for hypertensive disorder of pregnancy compared with white women and nonobese women, respectively (aRR: 1.32, 95% CI: 1.11–1.57; aRR: 1.69, 95% CI: 1.39–2.06). Conclusion These results provide insight about the prevalence of stage 1 hypertension and inform future guidelines for diagnosis and management of hypertension in pregnancy. Future research is needed to assess potential interventions to mitigate risk. Key Points

COMPARATIVE STUDY OF FIBRINOGEN LEVEL IN NORMAL PREGNANCY, HYPERTENSIVE DISORDERS OF PREGNANCY AND INTRAUTERINE FOETAL DEATH.

Introduction: Haemostatic failure as a result of Obstetric complication of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy and intrauterine foetal death is an important cause of maternal mortality and morbidity. The assessment of the coagulation parameters is important to diagnose the severity of the disease. To compare Aims and Objectives- serum brinogen in normal pregnancy and in hypertensive disorder of pregnancy and intrauterine foetal death. This study was conducte Materials and Methods: d in the department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, RIMS, Ranchi during the period of April'16 to September'17. A total of 450 patients after 28 weeks of gestation were taken for the study. 150 were cases of hypertensive disorder of pregnancy and 150 were intrauterine foetal death. 150 patients were taken as control for the comparative analysis. The brinogen levels in present study decrea Results: sed signicantly in patients with hypertensive disorder of pregnancy and IUD. The mean value of brinogen in normal patient was 446.72±38.35 mg/dl, in patients with hypertensive disorder of pregnancy was 413.96±74.07 mg/dl and in patients with IUD was 360.07±95.23mg/dl. There was a signicant difference noted in routine blood parameters such as Haemoglobin, Platelets and Total Leucocyte count in study group. The coagulation prole was also found to be deranged in the study population. The maternal and perinatal outcome in PIH and IUD was worse than in control group. The Conclusion: estimation of plasma brinogen is helpful not only in the early diagnosis of haemostatic failure but also to guide replacement therapy during the brinogen depletive state.

Analysis of the effectiveness of aspirin for the prevention of preeclampsia and alternative methods of prevention

Introduction. Preeclampsia is a hypertensive disorder of pregnancy that remains one of e leading causes of maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality. The preventive strategy of prophylaxis with acetylsalicylic acid gives only a relative reduction in risk, and in a significant part of cases is ineffective. At the same time, the issue of preeclampsia prophylaxis is extremely relevant, since there are no effective methods for treating this condition, with the exception of the completion of gestation.Purpose of the study. Based on the scientific literature, to evaluate the effectiveness of aspirin in the prevention of preeclampsia and to determine the possible reasons for the lack of effectiveness of such prevention.Materials and methods. We conducted a search for scientific literature, as a result of which 39 sources were selected for the final scientific review (2010-2020). The PubMed, ResearchGate and Elibrary databases were used to search for scientific literature.Results and discussion. The article presents a literature review of the analysis of the effectiveness of aspirin for the prevention of preeclampsia over the past 5 years, describes the mechanism of action of aspirin, presents studies that confirm or refute the effectiveness of aspirin depending on the dosage and gestational age. Potential alternative agents for the prevention of preeclampsia in cases of aspirin ineffectiveness have been reviewed.Conclusion. Literature review data show that the effectiveness of aspirin for the prevention of preeclampsia depends on the chronobiological effect, compliance, gestational duration and dosage. It is necessary to continue research on the effectiveness of aspirin, and studies carried out on the Russian population will be of particular value for the Russian Federation.

Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) And The Risk of Hypertensive Disorders of Pregnancy: A Retrospective Cohort Study

Purpose: To evaluate the association of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy with SARs-CoV-2 infection in pregnant women.Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study of all pregnant patients with positive SARs-CoV-2 molecular test at four participating hospitals located in a large metropolitan city and who delivered between February 1st and November 24th, 2020. Patients who tested positive during their pregnancy and delivered (index cases) were compared to the three subsequent deliveries of patients who tested negative (controls) at the same institution. We evaluated the impact of COVID-19 on the development of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy.Results: A total of 280 patients were included in the study: 70 patients who tested positive for Coronavirus Disease-2019 and 210 matched controls. Compared with pregnancies negative for SARS-CoV-2 infection, COVID-19 was associated with an increased risk of developing a hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (OR 3.68, 95% CI 1.67 -8.10). Overall rates of preeclampsia with severe features were significantly higher in patients with a COVID-19 diagnosis (18.6% vs 7.1%, p=0.006). Of COVID-19 positive patients, an early SARS-CoV-2 infection (prior to 32 week’s gestation) conferred a higher risk of hypertensive disorders in pregnancy (OR=6.29, CI 1.64-24.07; p=0.007). There was no difference in route of delivery, preterm birth, intrauterine growth restriction, intrauterine fetal demise, or pregnancy and fetal outcomes.Conclusion: COVID-19 is a risk factor for hypertensive disorders of pregnancy.Tweetable AbstractPatients who test positive for COVID-19 during their pregnancy are at increased risk of developing a hypertensive disorder of pregnancy compared to pregnant patients who test negative for COVID-19. Earlier SARs-CoV-2 infection results in increased risk of developing a hypertensive disorder. Furthermore, even patients who are asymptomatic but positive for SARs-CoV-2 during their pregnancy have a higher risk of developing a hypertensive disorder of pregnancy.

Neurodevelopmental assessment of infants born to mothers with hypertensive disorder of pregnancy at six months of age

Infant neurodevelopment is a complex process which may be affected by different events during pregnancy, such as hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP). We conducted a prospective cohort study to compare the prevalence of neurodevelopmental disorders in infants born to mothers with and without HDP at six months of age. Participants attended the Health Observatory of Instituto de Desarrollo e Investigaciones Pediátricas “Prof. Dr. Fernando E. Viteri” during 2018 and 2019. Infant neurodevelopment was assessed with the Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development—Third Edition (Bayley-III). Data were analyzed using Chi-square, Student’s t-test and Mann–Whitney test. Of the 132 participating infants, 68 and 64 were born to mothers with and without HDP, respectively. At six months, the prevalence of risk of neurodevelopmental delay was significantly higher in infants born to mothers with than without HDP (27.9% vs. 9.4%; p = 0.008) (odds ratio, 3.71; 95% confidence interval, 1.30; 12.28). In conclusion, infants born to mothers with HDP had three times increased risk of neurodevelopmental delay at six months of age.

Incidence of Hypertensive Disorders of Pregnancy in Women with COVID-19

Objective The study aimed to examine the incidence of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy in women diagnosed with SARS-CoV-2 (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, also known as COVID-19). Study Design This was a retrospective cohort study of all women who delivered at MedStar Washington Hospital Center in Washington, DC from April 8, 2020 to July 31, 2020. Starting April 8, 2020, universal testing for COVID-19 infection was initiated for all women admitted to labor and delivery. Women who declined universal testing were excluded. Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy were diagnosed based on American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists Task Force definitions.1 Maternal demographics, clinical characteristics, and labor and delivery outcomes were examined. Neonatal outcomes were also collected. Laboratory values from admission were evaluated. Our primary outcome was the incidence of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy among women who tested positive for COVID-19. The incidence of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy was compared between women who tested positive for COVID-19 and women who tested negative. Results Of the 1,008 women included in the analysis, 73 (7.2%) women tested positive for COVID-19, of which 12 (16.4%) were symptomatic at the time of admission. The incidence of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy was 34.2% among women who tested positive for COVID-19 and 22.9% women who tested negative for COVID-19 (p = 0.03). After adjusting for race, antenatal aspirin use, chronic hypertension, and body mass index >30, the risk of developing any hypertensive disorder of pregnancy was not statistically significant (odds ratio: 1.58 [0.91–2.76]). Conclusion After adjusting for potential confounders, the risk of developing a hypertensive disorder of pregnancy in women who tested positive for COVID-19 compared with women who tested negative for COVID-19 was not significantly different. Key Points