Researchers from Northwestern University report a notable shift in pregnancy health trends: among people giving birth, those born in more recent generations face roughly double the risk of high blood pressure during pregnancy compared with earlier cohorts, even when age is taken into account. The findings were released through a study published on Aug. 24 in JAMA Network Open.
The scientists relied on data drawn from a comprehensive national database that aggregates birth certificate information across the United States. They analyzed individuals who experienced their first pregnancy between 1995 and 2019, encompassing information on more than 38 million pregnancies. By examining birth year, race, and ethnicity, the team estimated how often hypertensive disorders arose during first pregnancies and tracked trends over time.
Among the study population, more than a million individuals in their first pregnancy experienced high blood pressure. Despite observed racial differences in risk, the analysis revealed that the highest risk was concentrated in the millennial cohort, defined as people born roughly between 1981 and 2012.
Earlier assumptions had linked higher blood pressure during pregnancy to an older age at first birth. The current findings challenge that notion, showing no direct relationship between a first-time pregnancy and the maternal age at that birth for the observed generations.
Earlier work conducted by the same Northwestern investigators in collaboration with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention indicated that rates of hypertension during pregnancy have nearly doubled over the previous decade, signaling a growing public health concern.
The implications point to the necessity of enhanced screening and closer monitoring for hypertension and related maternal conditions in pregnancy. High blood pressure remains a leading cause of maternal mortality and is associated with increased risks of heart failure and stroke in the mother, as well as the potential for premature birth or adverse outcomes for the infant. These findings underscore the importance of timely diagnosis, consistent prenatal care, and informed clinical management to protect both mother and child. Attribution: Northwestern University, JAMA Network Open.