Maternal and Neonatal Outcomes in Gestational Hypertension for Delivery at 37 versus 38 to 40 Weeks

Abstract

Objective

This study aimed to compare neonatal and maternal outcomes for mothers with gestational hypertension delivered at 37 weeks' gestation compared with 38 to 40 weeks.

Study Design

Single-center, retrospective chart review of women with gestational hypertension delivered between 37^0/7 and 40^6/7 weeks' gestation over a 29-month period.

Results

A total of 337 mother–infant dyads with gestational hypertension were included: 194 delivered at 37 weeks' gestation (cohort 1) and 143 delivered at 38 to 40 weeks' gestation (cohort 2). Preeclampsia developed in 12% of cohort 1 and 8% of cohort 2 (p = 0.242). No significant differences in severe hypertensive-related complications were found between the cohorts. Neonatal outcomes including neonatal intensive care unit admission, respiratory support, phototherapy, and length of stay were all more frequent in cohort 1.

Conclusion

For women with gestational hypertension, delivery at 38 to 40 weeks was not associated with increased maternal complications but was associated with fewer neonatal complications when compared with delivery at 37 weeks.

Key Points

• Gestational hypertension is a common complication of pregnancy.

• Mothers with gestational hypertension are often induced early.

• Neonatal adverse outcomes increase with early delivery.

• Optimal timing of delivery for pregnancies complicated by gestational hypertension is unknown.

Keywords

gestational hypertension - timing of delivery - preeclampsia - maternal hypertensive disorders - adverse perinatal outcomes

Publication History

Received: 21 January 2025

Accepted: 24 March 2025

Accepted Manuscript online:
31 March 2025

Article published online:
17 April 2025

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