One-year infant outcome in women with early-onset hypertensive disorders of pregnancy

Objectives: To evaluate the role of plasma volume expansion on 1-year infant outcome after severe hypertensive disorders of pregnancy and to determine prognostic factors for adverse neurodevelopmental infant outcome. Design: Randomised controlled trial, observational prognostic study. Setting: Two university hospitals in Amsterdam, The Netherlands. Population: One hundred and seventy-two infants alive of 216 mothers with severe hypertensive disorders of pregnancy who were randomised for a temporising management strategy with or without plasma volume expansion. Methods: At 1 year of corrected age, a neurological examination according to Bayley (mental development index [MDI] and psychomotor development index [PDI]) and Touwen was performed. Main outcome measures: Adverse neurodevelopmental infant outcome was defined as a MDI/PDI score below 70 and/or an abnormal Touwen. Risk factors for adverse neurodevelopmental outcome were explored by univariate and multivariate analyses. Results: Adverse neurodevelopmental infant outcome was observed in 31 infants (18%). There were no differences between the randomisation groups. In multivariate analysis, an association with abnormal umbilical artery/middle cerebral artery Doppler ratio higher than the median, major neonatal morbidity, higher education of the parents, multiparity and Caucasian ethnicity was observed. Conclusion: Nearly 70% of the infants were alive at 1 year without adverse neurodevelopmental outcome. Maternal plasma volume expansion during pregnancy has no effect on 1-year infant outcome. The prediction of adverse outcome at 1 year by perinatal parameters is limited.

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