IMPACT OF HYPERTENSIVE DISEASE OF PREGNAN CY ON INTRAUTERINE GROWTH-RETARDATION

Background: Intrauterine growth retardation, associated to hypertensiv e disease of pregnancy, is responsible for a higher perinatal mortalit y and morbidity. Aim: To assess obstetrical, perinatal and neonatal fe atures of intrauterine growth retardation associated to hypertensive d isease of pregnancy. Patients and methods: One hundred thirty seven ne wborns with intrauterine growth retardation, whose mothers had hyperte nsive disease of pregnancy, were compared to 165 similar newborns but whose mothers did not have the disease. Results: The incidence of intr auterine growth retardation associated to hypertensive disease of preg nancy was 45.4%. Maternal obesity at the start and end of pregnancy, a t pregestational weight over 65 kg and a weight increment of more than 20 kg during pregnancy were risk factors for hypertensive disease of pregnancy with relative risks of 1.76, 1.62, 1.62 and 2.09 respectivel y. Relative risks for cesarean section and prematurity were also highe r among women with hypertensive disease of pregnancy. Intrauterine gro wth retardation associated to maternal hypertension was symmetrical an d severe in 37.9% of newborns. All seven neonatal deaths occurred in n ewborns with severe retardation. Conclusions: Neonatal and perinatal m orbidity and mortality are higher in newborns with intrauterine growth retardation. Hypertensive disease of pregnancy was associated with a twice higher incidence of asymmetrical intrauterine growth retardation .