Hypertensive Disorders in Pregnancy: How They Affect Fetal Development

Abstract

Nowadays, hypertensive disorders that can occur during pregnancy, such as gestational hypertension, preeclampsia, and eclampsia, are of critical importance due to the high risk they pose to both maternal and fetal health. Therefore, it is essential to identify them early and manage them effectively to achieve proper control and minimize possible complications and risks for both the mother and the fetus. There is limited information available on how these disorders affect fetal development. Nevertheless, some research has documented various complications, such as premature birth, the birth of babies smaller than expected for their gestational age, and low birth weight. The objective of this project is to conduct a comprehensive literature review focusing on analyzing how hypertensive disorders affect fetal development, specifically in terms of birth weight, the incidence of neonates smaller than expected for their gestational age, and the health of newborns. To achieve this goal, a qualitative, non-exploratory narrative literature review was conducted, gathering relevant and up-to-date scientific information.