IMPACT OF ECLAMPSIA AND PREECLAMPSIA ON CHILD DEVELOPMENT: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW

Introduction: Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, particularly preeclampsia and eclampsia, remain major contributors to maternal and perinatal morbidity worldwide and have been increasingly associated with adverse short- and long-term outcomes in offspring. Objective: The primary objective of this systematic review was to evaluate the impact of maternal preeclampsia and eclampsia on neurodevelopmental, cognitive, behavioral, and physical outcomes in children, with secondary objectives addressing timing, severity, and modifying factors. Methods: A systematic search was conducted in PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, LILACS, ClinicalTrials.gov, and the World Health Organization International Clinical Trials Registry Platform, including studies published in the last five years that assessed child developmental outcomes following exposure to preeclampsia or eclampsia. Results and Discussion: Twenty studies met the inclusion criteria and were synthesized qualitatively, demonstrating consistent associations between hypertensive disorders of pregnancy and increased risks of neurodevelopmental delay, cognitive impairment, behavioral disorders, and adverse cardiometabolic profiles in childhood, with heterogeneity related to gestational age at onset and disease severity. Conclusion: Evidence indicates that preeclampsia and eclampsia have measurable and clinically relevant impacts on child development, supporting the need for structured long-term follow-up and early intervention strategies for exposed offspring.