CINCINNATI (WKRC) — A groundbreaking study in women’s health has revealed the lasting impact of preeclampsia, a common pregnancy complication, on children’s brain development. Preeclampsia, a dangerous form of high blood pressure during pregnancy, can lead to pre-term birth and pose numerous health risks for both mother and child.
Dr. Nehal Parikh, an attending neonatologist at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital, said his team at the Neurodevelopmental Disorders Prevention Center discovered significant findings when they examined brain images of infants born to mothers with high blood pressure during pregnancy.
“It showed more injury and more delayed brain maturation in babies that were exposed to maternal hypertension,” said Dr. Parikh.
The study involved 340 preterm infants cared for at five different intensive care units. It found that children born to mothers affected by high blood pressure had decreased cognitive and language scores at age two.
Dr. Parikh explained, “Brain development is likely the mechanism for at least part of the abnormal neurodevelopment.”
Based on this research, Dr. Parikh emphasized two key points for pregnant women. First, the risk of preeclampsia can be lowered through weight management, physical activity, a healthy diet, and stress reduction during pregnancy. Second, since early delivery is the only treatment for preeclampsia, he advised against prolonging a pregnancy that is clearly progressing towards the condition.
“Now that we know clearly that it’s not only harming the mom, but also the baby, trying to prolong a pregnancy that’s clearly going in the direction of preeclampsia probably doesn’t make any sense,” said Dr. Parikh.
Researchers have secured funding to follow these children until age seven, with hopes to eventually track them to age 18 to determine what interventions may improve their lives.