Joint Contribution of Mid-Trimester Systolic and Diastolic Blood Pressure to Co-occurring Adverse Pregnancy Outcomes: A Cohort Study.

Abstract

Background: To examine how mid-trimester systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) levels, considered both independently and jointly, are associated with individual and co-occurring adverse pregnancy outcomes (APOs).

Methods: We analyzed two cohorts from northern and southern China, consisting of 78,891 singleton pregnancies. Mid-trimester (20-28 weeks' gestation) SBP and DBP were evaluated as qualitative classifications (isolated systolic, isolated diastolic, and systolic-diastolic hypertension) and quantitative measurements (levels of SBP/DBP and pulse pressure). Using two-dimensional SBP-DBP heat maps, we assessed their associations with major APOs (gestational diabetes mellitus [GDM], preterm birth, small for gestational age [SGA], postpartum hemorrhage [PPH], placental abruption [PA], and severe preeclampsia) by latent class analysis (LCA).

Results: LCA identified four latent APO classes: (1) preterm placental dysfunction, with 100% preterm birth, 26.6% SGA, 21.4% GDM and 13.2% severe preeclampsia, associated with concurrent SBP-DBP association (SBP+/DBP+); (2) term placental dysfunction, with 44.0% PPH, 34.0% PA, 25.2% severe preeclampsia and no preterm birth, associated with DBP elevation (DBP+); (3) term GDM, with 100% probability for GDM, no preterm birth and minimal other APOs, associated with SBP elevation (SBP+) and wider pulse pressure; (4) term SGA, with 100% SGA, 16.2% GDM and no preterm birth, associated with a divergent changes in SBP and DBP (SBP-/DBP+) and narrower pulse pressure.

Conclusions: Mid-trimester SBP and DBP interact in distinct patterns to influence co-occurring APO risks. This study demonstrates the independent and joint influence of BP components on risk, emphasizing the role of BP stratification in guiding pregnancy management strategies.