A large-scale review of over three million mother and infant pairs looked at the link between maternal health and child health. The study specifically focused on mothers who experienced hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, which include conditions like preeclampsia and gestational hypertension.
The findings showed a significant association between these pregnancy conditions and an increased risk of asthma in their children. Specifically, infants born to mothers with preeclampsia or gestational hypertension showed higher rates of asthma compared to others. The data suggests the risk for offspring is approximately 14% to 20% higher when the mother has these conditions.
Because this study shows a link rather than a direct cause, it does not explain why this happens. However, the results suggest that early monitoring might be helpful for children born to mothers with high blood pressure during pregnancy. Talk to a healthcare provider to discuss what these findings mean for your specific family situation.