High Blood Pressure During Pregnancy Elevates Child's Seizure Risk, Study Finds

Recent research from the University of Iowa highlights a significant link between elevated blood pressure in pregnant women, known as gestational hypertension, and an increased risk of seizures in their children. Gestational hypertension affects approximately 16% of pregnancies in the United States and has been associated with various maternal and fetal health complications.

The groundbreaking study, published in the Journal of Clinical Investigation, utilized vast clinical databases including over 246 million patient records from the U.S. and Lebanon, along with animal models to explore this connection further. The findings revealed that children born to mothers with high blood pressure during pregnancy are at a notably higher risk of experiencing seizures.

The research team also investigated the biological mechanisms underlying this association. Using mouse models of gestational hypertension, they observed that offspring exposed to hypertension in the womb exhibit greater seizure sensitivity and a higher likelihood of seizure-related death. Their investigations pointed to neuroinflammation as a key factor linking maternal hypertension to seizure risk, with sex-specific differences noted—male offspring showed greater vulnerability.

Experts involved in the study emphasize the importance of these findings for future research and potential therapeutic strategies. Anti-inflammatory drugs tested on mouse models were able to reduce seizure susceptibility, indicating possible avenues for intervention.

This study underscores the importance of monitoring and managing blood pressure during pregnancy to mitigate adverse neurological outcomes in children. It also opens new doors for understanding and preventing pediatric seizures through targeted treatments addressing neuroinflammation.

For more insights, the full study is available in the Journal of Clinical Investigation. Data from this research enhance our understanding of maternal health impacts on child development and could lead to innovative therapies in pediatric neurology.

Source: https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-06-high-blood-pressure-pregnancy-linked.html