Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy: incidence, anthropometric, hemodynamic, and urinary trajectories in a Colombian cohort.

INTRODUCTION

Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP) are among the leading causes of maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality worldwide, particularly in low and middle-income countries. In Colombia, HDP complicate 13% of pregnancies and represent a major public health concern.

AIM: To determine the incidence of HDP and characterize the longitudinal pattern of anthropometric, hemodynamic, and urinary variables in a cohort of Colombian pregnant women.

METHODS

A prospective cohort study was conducted including 169 pregnant women with repeated measurements of anthropometric, clinical, and urinary parameters throughout pregnancy.

RESULTS

The overall incidence of HDP was 17.8 per 100 pregnancies. Women who developed HDP delivered at a lower mean gestational age (37.3 weeks). Birth weight did not differ between groups, and neonatal length was shorter in the HDP group (median 49 cm). From early pregnancy onward, women who developed gestational hypertension had significantly higher systolic, diastolic, and mean arterial pressures (p < 0.05) compared with normotensive women. No significant differences were observed in the evolution of body mass index (BMI) trajectories or urinary biochemical markers. However, women with gestational hypertension showed a late increase in the protein/creatinine ratio.

CONCLUSIONS

This study suggests subgroups of women at elevated risk for HDP in Colombia. Although these data are not fully translatable to clinical practice, they give insights into feasible preventative efforts.