Fetal sex and differential survival in preeclampsia and eclampsia.

Purpose: We investigate sex differences in the incidence of stillbirth, neonatal mortality, and perinatal mortality among singletons born to mothers with preeclampsia or eclampsia.

Methods: Retrospective cohort analysis of a population-based sample of singleton births covering the period 1989 through 2005 (n = 56,313).

Results: The study population comprised 26,931 female (47.8%) and 29,382 male infants (52.2%; referent group). Overall, the prevalence of stillbirth, neonatal mortality and perinatal mortality were 0.68, 0.52 and 1.2%, respectively. There was no sex difference in the incidence of stillbirth, neonatal or perinatal mortality among offspring of mothers in this study.

Conclusion: Although there was a preponderance of male infants among mothers with preeclampsia or eclampsia, we did not observe any sex-associated differences in fetal or neonatal survival among offspring of mothers with preeclampsia or eclampsia.