Gestational Hypertension Linked with Difficult Infant Temperament

Mothers with gestational hypertension or preeclampsia reported significantly more infants with difficult temperaments at age 12 months.

Hypertension during pregnancy has been associated with psychological problems and low verbal abilities in school-age children. Researchers in Australia prospectively assessed the association between gestational hypertension and “difficult” infant temperament in 2384 mothers enrolled in a prospective pregnancy cohort study. The women were assessed twice between 18 and 34 weeks' gestation and then completed a standardized infant temperament scale when their children were aged 12 months. Infant temperaments were classified as easy, difficult, or slow to warm up.

Gestational hypertension was defined as pregnancy-induced increase in systolic pressure ≥140 mm Hg, diastolic pressure ≥90 mm Hg, or both, in woman with normal blood pressure before 24 …

Reviewing Author

Martin T. Stein, MD

Disclosures

Consultant / Advisory boardPearson Neuroscience Advisory Board

Speaker’s bureauAmerican Academy of Pediatrics

RoyaltiesElsevier, Inc.

Editorial boardsJournal of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics