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Recording available 2/16-5/2
Recording available 2/16-5/2
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Poster Session 2

Category: Hypertension

Poster Session 2

(492) Exploring the Link Between Maternal Chronic Hypertension and Offspring Neurological Health

Wednesday, February 11, 2026
3:30 PM - 5:00 PM  

    Submitting Author and Presenting Author(s)

  • Gil Gutvirtz, MD, MHA

    Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Soroka University Medical Center, Ben-Gurion University
    Metar, HaDarom, Israel

    • Coauthor(s)

  • Tamar Wainstock, PhD (she/her/hers)

    Department of Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Community Health Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev
    Beer Sheva, HaDarom, Israel

  • Eyal Sheiner, MD, PhD

    Deichmann Lerner Full Professor of Obstetrics & Gynecology; Chairman of the Division of OBY&GYN
    Soroka University Medical Center, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben‑Gurion University of the Negev
    beer sheva, HaDarom, Israel

Objective:
The prevalence of maternal chronic hypertension has increased in recent decades, mainly due to rising maternal age and obesity. While hypertensive disorders in pregnancy are linked to adverse pregnancy and neonatal outcomes, the long-term effects on offspring remain understudied. Most studies have focused on preeclampsia-related outcomes. This study aims to investigate long-term neurological morbidity in offspring exposed in utero to maternal chronic hypertension, excluding preeclampsia.

Study Design:
A population-based retrospective cohort study was conducted using singleton deliveries from 1991-2021 at a tertiary center. Deliveries of women with chronic hypertension (without superimposed preeclampsia) were compared to those without chronic hypertension or other hypertensive disorders of pregnancy. Long-term neurological morbidity was assessed using ICD-9 diagnoses from community clinics and hospitalizations of offspring up to 18 years. Kaplan–Meier survival curves compared cumulative morbidity, and a Cox proportional hazards model controlled for confounders.

Results:

The study included 342,365 singleton deliveries, of which 3,097 (0.9%) were from mothers with chronic hypertension. Children exposed to maternal chronic hypertension had a significantly higher rate of neurological morbidity compared to those from pregnancies without hypertensive disorders (Table). Kaplan-Meier analysis showed a higher cumulative incidence of neurological morbidity in the chronic hypertension group (Figure). A Cox regression model, adjusting for maternal age, fertility treatment, preterm delivery, and cesarean delivery, confirmed that maternal chronic hypertension is an independent risk factor for long-term neurological morbidity of the offspring (adjusted HR=1.14, 95%CI 1.05-1.23, p< 0.001).

Conclusion:
Maternal chronic hypertension, unrelated to preeclampsia, is an independent risk factor for long-term neurological morbidity in offspring. Despite the increased relative risk, the absolute risk remains low. Further research is necessary to explore underlying mechanisms and potential preventive strategies.