Preeclampsia and the risk of large-for-gestational-age infants

Objective We sought to compare the risk of giving birth to large-for-gestational-age (LGA) infants in women with and without preeclampsia, after adjustment for obesity and glucose intolerance. Study Design We conducted secondary analysis of a prospective database of pregnant women with and without preeclampsia who delivered infants from 1998 through 2006 at Massachusetts General Hospital (n = 17,465). Results The risk of LGA was similar in women with and without preeclampsia (odds ratio, 0.81; 95% confidence interval, 0.59–1.14). After adjustment for body mass index, glucose intolerance, and other factors, the risk of LGA was significantly lower in women with preeclampsia compared to those without preeclampsia (odds ratio, 0.69; 95% confidence interval, 0.49–0.96). Stratified analysis in groups with a higher risk of LGA revealed that preeclampsia has a similar effect on the risk of LGA regardless of maternal obesity, glucose intolerance, parity, and race. Conclusion Preeclampsia appears to be characterized by reduced, and not increased, fetal growth.