Infants Of Hypertensive Mothers Research Articles

Clinical and haematological features of newborns of mothers with hypertensive disorders in pregnancy in Lagos, Nigeria

Background: Newborns of mothers with hypertensive disorders in pregnancy have an increased risk of preterm delivery, low birth weight, perinatalasphyxia and haematological derangements such as polycythaemia, thrombocytopenia and neutropenia. These morbidities are associated with uteroplacental insufficiency. The haematological derangements however have not been studied in detail in African neonates.
 Objective: To determine the clinical and haematological features of newborns of hypertensive mothers
 Methods: Cross-sectional study involving 250 newborns; 125 newborns each of hypertensive mothers (cases), and normotensive mothers (controls). The babies were examined following delivery, their clinical data were recorded, and umbilical cord blood samples were analysed for haematological indices.
 Results: Preterm deliveries were significantly higher amongst infants of hypertensive mothers (31.2%)compared with controls (12.0%);p = 0.000. Similarly, the birth weight, length and head circumference of the cases were significantly lower than the controls; p = 0.008, 0.003 and 0.004 respectively. Low fifth minute APGAR scores occurred more frequently in cases (8.0%) than controls (0.8%), p=0.010; whilst the mean haematocrit was also significantly higher in cases than the controls, p = 0.013. The median absolute neutrophil count and platelet count were significantly lower in cases than controls; p=0.023 and 0.047 respectively. Thrombocytopenia was identified in 40.0% of the cases compared to 27.2% of the controls, p = 0.041
 Conclusion: The present study has shown that newborns of hypertensive mothers have an increased risk of neonatal morbidities such as preterm birth, LBW and thrombocytopenia compared to the newborns of mothers with normal blood pressure in pregnancy, hence close attention needs to be paid to them with emphasis on their haematological system.
 Key words: newborn, pregnancy, hypertension, hypertensive disorders, haematological, clinical

Correlates of neutrophil/lymphocyte, platelet/lymphocyte, and platelet/neutrophil ratios of neonates of women with hypertensive disease of pregnancy with neonatal birth outcomes

ABSTRACTBackground: Studies have indicated neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (NLR), Platelet/Lymphocyte ratio (PLR), and platelet/neutrophils ratio (PNR) to be inflammatory markers. The correlation of these values in infants of hypertensive mothers has not been investigated.Aim: To investigate the relationship between NLR, PLR, and PNR of neonates of women with hypertensive disease of pregnancy and neonatal APGAR scores and birth weight.Methodology: Cord blood samples of 200 neonates collected and the blood counts and ratios obtained.Results: NLR in the babies of the hypertensive mothers was 0.865 and 1.42 in the control group (p = 0.0001). PLR was 34.7 in the neonates of the hypertensive mothers and 62.4 in the control group (p = 0.0001). PNR did not differ significantly between the two groups,p = 0.418. Degree of hypertension had a direct relationship with NLR; SBP had a p value of 0.001 while the DBP had p = 0.002. The PLR had an inverse relationship with the degree of hypertension; SBP p value of 0.0001, while DBP was p = 0.0001. No significant association was observed between the ratios and neonatal birth weight (p ≥ 0.05); however, PNR and PLR were found to be significantly associated with the 1st (p = 0.045 and 0.030) and 5th (0.049 and 0.037) minute APGAR scores in the newborns.Conclusion: PLR and NLR in neonates of hypertensive mothers are found to be markedly lower than those of controls, the degree of which is affected by the severity of hypertension. Also, lower PLR is associated with lower APGAR scores. Therefore, severity of high blood pressure and lower PLR may be determinants of poor birth outcome.

Neonatal outcomes of extremely preterm infants exposed to maternal hypertension and cigarette smoking.

To study the outcomes of extremely preterm infants of hypertensive mothers who smoke. This retrospective cohort study included infants born between 2003 and 2012 at <29 weeks' gestation and admitted to neonatal intensive care units participating in the Canadian Neonatal Network. Infants were divided into four mutually exclusive groups. Infants of hypertensive mothers who smoked; infants of hypertensive, non-smoking mothers; infants of normotensive mothers who smoked; and infants of normotensive, non-smoking mothers. Using infants of normotensive, non-smoking mothers as the reference group, neonatal outcomes were compared between the groups. Adjusted odds ratios (AORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated using univariate and multivariate regression analysis. Of the 12,307 eligible infants, 172 had hypertensive mothers who smoked, 1689 had hypertensive non-smoking mothers, 1535 had normotensive mothers who smoked, and 8911 had normotensive non-smoking mothers. Compared to infants of normotensive non-smoking mothers, infants of hypertensive mothers, regardless of smoking status, had higher odds of developing bronchopulmonary dysplasia (AORs of smokers 1.62; 95% CI 1.12-2.35 and of non-smokers 1.43; 95% CI 1.24-1.64). There was no difference in the odds of mortality and retinopathy of prematurity stage ≥3 between the groups. Infants of hypertensive, non-smoking mothers had decreased odds of intraventricular hemorrhage >grade 2 and higher odds of necrotizing enterocolitis. There was decreased odds of hypertension if the mother was a smoker (AOR 0.71; 95% CI 0.59-0.85). Maternal hypertension is associated with increased rates of bronchopulmonary dysplasia, irrespective of smoking status.

318: Decreased respiratory morbidity in very low birth weight infants of hypertensive mothers

318: Decreased respiratory morbidity in very low birth weight infants of hypertensive mothers

Effect of pregnancy induced hypertension on mothers and their babies

To study the hematological profile of mothers with pregnancy induced hypertension and their infants. The effects of maternal hypertension on the hematological profile of neonates were studied in 50 cases comparing the values with that of infants born to normotensive mothers. There was higher number of preterm, Intra-Uterine Growth Restriction (IUGR) and Small for Gestational Age (SGA) babies among the infants of hypertensive mothers. There was a significantly higher incidence of thrombocytopenia and nucleated RBCs seen in these babies. Significant neutropenia was not documented and there was no increased incidence of bleeding when compared to controls. Although there were significant changes in the hematological profile of infants born to hypertensive mothers, there was no significant increase in neonatal morbidity as a result of these changes.

Effect of hypertensive pregnancy complications on neonatal outcome of growth retarded fetuses

To determine the effect of hypertensive disorders in pregnancy on the neonatal outcome of growth restricted fetuses. There is conflicting data on the effect of hypertension during pregnancy on the incidence of neonatal respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) and intraventricular hemorrhage. Some studies report a lower incidence of RDS and intraventricular hemorrhage in infants of hypertensive mothers, whereas other studies report a similar or higher incidence in infants born to hypertensive mothers. We performed a retrospective analysis of 220 growth restricted fetuses born between January 1, 1996 to July 1, 1997 at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology of the University-Hospital at Homburg/Saar. Data were obtained by review of the medical records. Growth restricted infants born to preeclamptic women or women with HELLP syndrome were compared to growth restricted fetuses born to mothers without hypertensive disorders. Growth restricted fetuses born to hypertensive mothers had a significant lower birth weight (p < 0.05). The incidence of RDS in children born to hypertensive mothers was significantly higher (p < 0.05, p < 0.01) and they stayed significantly longer in the neonatal intensive care unit (p < 0.01). In contrast to infants born to mothers with HELLP syndrome (n = 7) there was no difference in the incidence of intraventricular hemorrhage, infection, sepsis, necrotizing enterocolitis or cardiac complications (arrhythmia, insufficiency) in case of preeclampsia (n = 68). The perinatal mortality of infants born to hypertensive mothers was significantly higher (p < 0.05, p < 0.01). This study does not support the contention that hypertensive disorders in pregnancy have a beneficial effect on the postnatal course of IUGR infants.

Neonatal neutropenia associated with maternal hypertension poses a risk for nosocomial infection.

One hundred and six neonates of 24-32 weeks gestation born to hypertensive mothers and 106 concurrent control infants of normotensive mothers were evaluated to determine the relationship between maternal hypertension and neonatal neutropenia and the risk of nosocomial infection developing in neutropenic infants. Complete blood counts were performed on both cohorts and retrospectively evaluated. Neutropenia was diagnosed using published reference ranges for infants with birth weight <1500 g and > 1500 g. Evidence of nosocomial infection based on a positive blood culture with supportive clinical signs of sepsis was documented. The incidence of neutropenia among infants of hypertensive mothers was not significantly different from that among infants of normotensive mothers (21% vs 24%), but the duration of neutropenia was significantly longer in the infants of hypertensive mothers (P = 0.0001). Nosocomial infection was more frequent in neutropenic than the non-neutropenic hypertensive mothers' infants (55% vs 12%, P = 0.0002). Although there is no difference in the incidence of neonatal neutropenia between infants of hypertensive mothers and those of normotensive mothers, the former group has an increased risk of nosocomial infection in neutropenic infants of hypertensive mothers. This may be related to prolonged neutropenia which was found in these infants in the present study.

Increased nosocomial infection in neutropenic low birth weight (2000 grams or less) infants of hypertensive mothers

The neutropenia often seen in infants of hypertensive mothers (IHMs) at < 12 hours of age has been associated with nosocomial infection in the first 18 days of life. To assess maternal hypertension as an independent factor for nosocomial infection, we compared 101 low birth weight (< or = 2.00 kg) IHMs to a concurrent birth weight-matched group of infants of normotensive mothers (INMs). Infants without differential leukocyte counts at < 12 hours of age were excluded, leaving 93 IHMs and 98 INMs. The incidence of neutropenia at < 12 hours among IHMs was not significantly different from that among INMs (42/92 (45%) vs 37/98 (38%)). Nosocomial infection was more frequent in neutropenic IHMs than in neutropenic INMs (12/42 vs 2/37; p = 0.007). Infection in IHMs included omphalitis (2 infants), pneumonia (4), and sepsis with or without meningitis (6); INMs had cellulitis (1) and sepsis (1). The underlying mechanism(s) for this predisposition remains to be elucidated, although limited data suggest that neutropenia may be more severe and prolonged among IHMs.

Neonatal thrombocytopenia in the hypertensive disorders of pregnancy

Infants of hypertensive mothers are at risk for a platelet count below 150 x 10(9)/L. To define this risk and assess maternal factors influencing the prevalence of neonatal thrombocytopenia, we collected cord blood samples from 520 infants of 607 consecutive hypertensive mothers with singleton pregnancies. The platelet count in cord blood from infants of hypertensive mothers was compared with that of a control normotensive population, and other comparisons were made among various maternal hypertensive groups. The rate of neonatal thrombocytopenia was 9.2% in hypertensive patients, compared with 2.2% in infants of normotensive mothers (P less than .00001). In the hypertensive group, preterm birth was the major risk factor for neonatal thrombocytopenia. Term infants of hypertensive mothers were no more likely to be thrombocytopenic than were control infants. Only two infants, both preterm, had cord platelet counts below 50 x 10(9)/L. Although obstetric interventions are not indicated, the rate of thrombocytopenia in preterm infants born to hypertensive women justifies neonatal scrutiny.

Increased incidence of respiratory distress syndrome in infants following pregnancies complicated by hypertension.

We assessed the relationship between maternal hypertension during pregnancy and the incidence of respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) in 263 infants born at 32 weeks' gestation or less. Two-hundred and twenty-three mothers were normotensive and 40 were hypertensive. RDS occurred significantly more commonly in infants of hypertensive mothers than in controls (60% vs 33%; p = 0.001). The association between maternal hypertension and an increased rate of RDS remained after adjustment for differences between groups with respect to gestational age, mode of delivery, administration of antenatal steroids and other complications of pregnancy, except for delivery in the absence of labour. The increased rate of RDS related to the severity of hypertension but did not relate to the duration of hypertension or to maternal treatment with beta-blockers. In those infants who developed RDS there was no significant difference in the severity of the illness between the hypertensive group and the controls.

How Often Does Maternal Preeclampsia-Eclampsia Incite Thrombocytopenia in the Fetus?

Overt thrombocytopenia (defined as a platelet count of less than 100,000/microL) was not identified at or soon after delivery in any of 262 infants of mothers with hypertension induced or exacerbated by pregnancy. The platelet counts were 100,000 to 149,000/microL in 11 (4.2%) of the offspring and 150,000/microL or higher in the rest, even though the platelet counts of the 258 mothers were less than 150,000/microL in 77 (30%), less than 100,000/microL in 51 (20%), and less than 50,000/microL in 17 (7%). Some infants of hypertensive mothers did develop overt thrombocytopenia later; however, the frequency and intensity appeared to be no greater than it was in infants with similar complications (prematurity, growth retardation, infection, and meconium aspiration) whose mothers were normotensive. We conclude that the fetus whose mother has preeclampsia-eclampsia is very unlikely to be thrombocytopenic during labor and delivery, even when the mother is thrombocytopenic. Therefore, neither cesarean delivery to avoid labor nor scalp blood platelet counts during labor need be performed.

Neonatal manifestations of severe maternal hypertension occurring before the thirty-sixth week of pregnancy

The effects on the neonate of severe maternal hypertension originating before the thirty-sixth week of gestation were determined by comparing data obtained on 28 preterm infants born of hypertensive mothers with data from 28 gestational age-matched controls. All hypertensive mothers had diastolic blood pressure greater than or equal to 110 mm Hg, proteinuria, and systemic symptoms of their disease; over half had thrombocytopenia and significant elevations of LDH and SGOT. All hypertensive mothers had been treated intravenously with magnesium sulfate, and 79% received other antihypertensive agents. When compared to control infants, the infants of hypertensive mothers had a significantly higher incidence of somatic growth retardation, microcephaly, thrombocytopenia, leukopenia, neutropenia, low Apgar scores, delayed adaptation, patent ductus arteriosus, hypotonia, and gastrointestinal hypomotility. Apgar scores, platelet count, WBC count, neutrophil count, and weight percentile correlated with the severity of maternal platelet and enzyme abnormalities. The occurrence of gastrointestinal hypomotility, hypotonia, and patent ductus arteriosus may be related to transplacental passage of maternally administered drugs.

Somatomedin-like activity in cord blood from infants of hypertensive mothers.

Somatomedin-like activity (SLA) was measured by bioassay in cord serum from infants of hypertensive mothers. Levels of SLA were lowest in "light for date' infants with birth weights below the 3rd centile, but did not correlate with birth weight, placental weight or maturity at delivery. Cord serum from female infants had significantly (P less than 0.001) higher levels of SLA than male infants. No differences in SLA were found between infants born after spontaneous labor or following induction.