Association Between Preeclampsia and Congenital Heart Defects

Abstract

In this population-based study, preeclampsia was significantly associated with noncritical heart defects in offspring, and preeclampsia before 34 weeks was associated with critical heart defects. However, the absolute risk of congenital heart defects was low.

Characterization of the Placenta in the Newborn with Congenital Heart Disease: Distinctions Based on Type of Cardiac Malformation

“…In a small series of 16 subjects with hypoplastic left heart syndrome, the placenta is reported smaller than normal in weight with a marked increased in fibrin deposition, decreased terminal villi and increased expression of leptin, an angiogenic and mitogenic hormone produced by the placenta, which may indicate an attempt to compensate for vascular abnormalities [23]. Placental dysfunction-related complications such as preeclampsia are associated with CHD [7, 8]. Umbilical cord insertion abnormalities of eccentric, marginal or velamentous cord insertions are also noted with increased frequency in CHD [24].…”

“…In mothers carrying a fetus with congenital heart disease (CHD), an imbalance in pro-angiogenic and anti-angiogenic factors in both maternal blood and fetal cord blood is reported [6]. Maternal preeclampsia, a clinical consequence of placental vascular dysgenesis, is associated with fetal CHD, suggesting a shared pathway of development between these conditions, with an aberration in early angiogenesis possibly resulting in abnormality of both the placenta and the fetal cardiovascular system [7, 8]. Not only is it plausible to suspect that the placenta is de-novo abnormally formed in the fetus with CHD, but differences in blood flow patterns and perfusion characteristics unique to the type of heart malformation present may further influence growth and development of the placenta during gestation.…”

Congenital microcephaly in Quebec: baseline prevalence, risk factors and outcomes in a large cohort of neonates

“…We examined whether microcephaly presented with other congenital anomalies, including anomalies of the central nervous system (spina bifida, anencephaly/encephalocoele, congenital hydrocephalus, other), eye, ear, orofacial clefts, heart (critical, non-critical),17 respiratory, digestive, urinary (hypospadias, renal agenesis, other), skeletal (congenital hip dislocation, clubfoot, limbs or digits, skull or facial bones, other) and chromosomes (Down syndrome, trisomy 13 or 18, autosomal or sex-linked, other). In addition, we assessed rare but potentially lethal structural anomalies that as a group may be associated with significant morbidity or mortality, including anencephaly, encephalocoele, omphalocoele, diaphragmatic hernia, lung agenesis, critical heart defects, renal agenesis, osteogenesis imperfecta, osteochondroplasia, trisomy 13 and trisomy 18.…”

Recurrent pre-eclampsia and subsequent cardiovascular risk

“…Baseline covariates included age (<20, 20–24, 25–29, 30–34, 35–39, ≥40 years), pre-existing gestational or non-gestational diabetes (ICD 648.0, 648.8, V12.21, O24), pre-existing cardiovascular disease (ICD 401-445, 447-453, 642.0-642.2, 642.9, 646.2, I10-I82, O10), socioeconomic deprivation (poorest fifth of the population, or not)16 and time period (1989–1996, 1997–2004, 2005–2013).…”