The effect of maternal hemodynamics on fetal growth in hypertensive pregnancies.

Easterling, T R; Benedetti, T J; Carlson, K C; Brateng, D A; Wilson, J; Schmucker, B S · Am J Obstet Gynecol · 1991

retrospective_cohort · Level III

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Abstract

Seventy-six pregnancies in which hypertension complicated pregnancy before 28 weeks' gestation were studied. In 36, hemodynamics were characterized by increased cardiac output and low vascular resistance; in 32, hemodynamics were characterized by high resistance; in eight hemodynamics crossed over from high output to high resistance during pregnancy. High-resistance hypertension was associated with a mean birth weight 1058 gm less than that in the low-resistance group (p = 0.001). The reduction in birth weight was due to a 4-week difference in gestational age (p = 0.001) and lower percentile weights for gestational age, 19th versus 39th (p = 0.005). Infants in the crossover group had low percentile weights and a high rate of intrauterine fetal death.

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