Preeclampsia affects the baby primarily by impairing the placenta's ability to deliver adequate oxygen and nutrients. This can lead to several risks and complications for the fetus:
- Fetal Growth Restriction: Reduced blood flow to the placenta causes the baby to receive less oxygen and nutrients, resulting in slower growth or intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR)
- Preterm Birth: Preeclampsia often necessitates early delivery, either planned or spontaneous, before 37 weeks of gestation. Preterm birth increases the risk of breathing and feeding difficulties, vision and hearing problems, developmental delays, and cerebral palsy in the baby
- Placental Abruption: The condition raises the risk of placental abruption, where the placenta detaches prematurely from the uterine wall, causing heavy bleeding and potentially stillbirth or infant death
- Hypoxia and Lactic Acidosis: Severe preeclampsia can cause fetal oxygen deprivation, leading to lactic acidosis where the fetus prioritizes blood flow to vital organs. This can cause fetal distress, unconsciousness, and cessation of movement, often prompting urgent delivery
- Long-Term Health Risks: Babies exposed to preeclampsia in utero may face increased risks later in life, including cardiovascular disease, metabolic disorders like diabetes, neurological impairments, and congenital heart defects, especially with early-onset preeclampsia
- Low Birth Weight and Infant Morbidity: Due to growth restriction and prematurity, infants may have low birth weight and require prolonged hospitalization, facing higher risks of complications related to early birth
In summary, preeclampsia compromises fetal development through placental dysfunction, leading to growth restriction, preterm birth, and increased risks of both immediate and long-term health problems for the baby. Delivery of the baby and placenta is currently the only definitive treatment to resolve preeclampsia
