Clinical outcomes of hypertensive disorders in pregnancy in the offspring during perinatal period, childhood, and adolescence.

Abstract

Hypertensive disorders during pregnancy (HDP) could have significant clinical impact not only on the mother's, but also on the offspring's health. The clinical impact of HDP may be evident early in the perinatal period or during childhood and adolescence. The cardiovascular system seems to be primarily affected with higher rates of congenital heart defects reported from cohort studies in the offspring of mothers with HDP. HDP are associated with alterations in cardiac and vascular structure and higher BP during childhood. HDP may also affect brain development and could result in increased prevalence of adverse cognitive outcomes and neuropsychiatric disorders in children and adolescents. The kidney, immune, endocrine, and gastrointestinal system abnormalities could also have their origin in exposure to HDP. The aim of this narrative review is to examine the clinical impact of HDP on the offspring with a focus on the perinatal period, childhood, and adolescence.