Abstract

Objective: Evaluate if odds of survival without major morbidity are higher among extremely low gestation neonates (ELGANs) born to mothers with chronic hypertension (cHTN) or hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP) compared to ELGANs born to mothers without hypertension (HTN).

Study design: Retrospective study of prospectively collected data from the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development Neonatal Research Network. Included children had a birthweight of 401-1000 g and/or gestational age of 220/7 to 286/7 wks. The primary outcome was survival to discharge without major morbidity. Multivariable regression models were used to compare outcomes among ELGANs born to women with cHTN, HDP, and no HTN.

Results: Survival without morbidities for newborns of mothers with no HTN, cHTN and HDP (29.1%, 32.9%, 37.0% respectively) did not differ after adjustment.

Conclusion: After adjusting for contributing variables maternal HTN is not associated with improved survival free of morbidity among ELGANs.