Clinical Profiles and Maternal–Neonatal Outcomes in Pregnancies Complicated by Hypertensive Disorders in Puerto Rico and gave Birth at the University District Hospital between 2020-2023
Vol. 45 No. 3 (2026), Full-Length Articles
Vol. 45 No. 3 (2026)

Clinical Profiles and Maternal–Neonatal Outcomes in Pregnancies Complicated by Hypertensive Disorders in Puerto Rico and gave Birth at the University District Hospital between 2020-2023

Full-Length Articles
Published 2026-09-24
Maria Isabel Hawayek
University of Puerto Rico Medical Sciences Campus
Omar Benitez
Keischaly Collazo
Alberto De La Vega
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Keywords

Hypertensive conditions in pregnancy
Preeclampsia
Chronic hypertension
Puertorrican population
High-risk pregnancy

How to Cite

Hawayek, M. I., Benitez, O., Collazo, K., & De La Vega, A. (2026). Clinical Profiles and Maternal–Neonatal Outcomes in Pregnancies Complicated by Hypertensive Disorders in Puerto Rico and gave Birth at the University District Hospital between 2020-2023. Puerto Rico Health Sciences Journal, 45(3), 153–157. Retrieved from https://prhsj.rcm.upr.edu/index.php/prhsj/article/view/3872
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Abstract

Objectives: To characterize clinical profiles of mothers and neonates in Puerto Rico affected by hypertensive disorders of pregnancy and evaluate associated maternal and neonatal outcomes. Methods: We performed a retrospective review of patients seen at the high-risk clinic of the University District Hospital in Puerto Rico (2020–2023). Patients were excluded if they did not deliver a live infant or
delivered at an outside hospital. Clinical and demographic data were extracted from medical records and grouped by hypertensive status. Descriptive statistics summarized maternal history, delivery outcomes, and neonatal data. Associations were analyzed using Chi-square, Fisher’s exact test, and Wilcoxon-Mann-Whitney tests, with significance set at P ≤ 0.05. Results: Among 278 mothers, 40.3% (n = 112) had a hypertensive disorder, including chronic hypertension (40%) and preeclampsia (22%). Higher maternal BMI was significantly associated with all hypertensive disorders. Chronic hypertension was strongly associated with preeclampsia, conferring 4.8-fold higher odds (95% CI: 2.36–9.75). Hypertensive disorders were linked to earlier gestational age at delivery but not to increased cesarean delivery rates. Neonates of affected mothers had lower Apgar scores. Conclusion: Hypertensive disorders were common and associated with higher BMI, increased risk of preeclampsia among patients with chronic hypertension, earlier delivery, and lower neonatal Apgar scores. These findings highlight the need for early identification, targeted management, and strengthened prenatal screening to reduce hypertension-related complications in high-risk populations in Puerto Rico.

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