The impact of anti-hypertensive treatment on foetal growth and haemodynamics in pregnant women with pre-existing diabetes - An explorative study.

Objectives: To explore the impact of anti-hypertensive treatment of pregnancy-induced hypertension on foetal growth and hemodynamics in women with pre-existing diabetes.

Methods: A prospective cohort study of 247 consecutive pregnant women with pre-existing diabetes (152 type 1 diabetes; 95 type 2 diabetes), where tight anti-hypertensive treatment was initiated and intensified (mainly with methyldopa) when office blood pressure (BP) ≥135/85 mmHg and home BP ≥130/80 mmHg. Foetal growth was assessed by ultrasound at 27, 33 and 36 weeks and foetal hemodynamics were assessed by ultrasound Doppler before and 1-2 weeks after initiation of anti-hypertensive treatment.