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Hypertensive diseases of pregnancy predict parent-reported difficult temperament in infancy

These data suggest that the link between maternal hypertensive diseases of pregnancy and child behavioral development begins in the first year of life.

Authors:
Robinson M, Oddy WH, Whitehouse AJO, Pennell CE, Kendall GE, McLean NJ, Jacoby P, Zubrick SR, Stanley FJ, Newnham JP

Authors notes:
Journal of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics. 2013;34(3):174-180

Keywords:
Behaviour, gestational hypertension, hypertensive diseases of pregnancy, preeclampsia, temperament

Abstract:
Recent research has linked hypertensive diseases of pregnancy with adverse neurodevelopmental outcomes in childhood and adulthood.

This study aimed to establish whether such effects are observed in infancy.

After adjusting for confounders, mothers who were diagnosed with gestational hypertension or preeclampsia were more likely to report that their infants were in the difficult or intermediate-high classifications in the first year of life compared with infants born to mothers without gestational hypertension or preeclampsia.

These data suggest that the link between maternal hypertensive diseases of pregnancy and child behavioral development begins in the first year of life.