High Blood Pressure in Pregnancy Linked to Seizures

Summary: New research reveals a clear link between high blood pressure during pregnancy and a higher risk of seizures in children. Backed by large clinical datasets and mouse models, the study identifies neuroinflammation as a key biological driver. It opens up promising possibilities for new anti-seizure therapies targeting children exposed to gestational hypertension.

Can a mother’s blood pressure during pregnancy shape her child’s brain health?

A groundbreaking study says yes and the implications are significant. Researchers from the University of Iowa Health Care have uncovered compelling evidence that high blood pressure during pregnancy (gestational hypertension) may increase the risk of seizures in children, shining a new light on maternal health and childhood neurological outcomes.

This article will walk you through:

The scientific link between gestational hypertension and childhood seizures
The role of neuroinflammation in brain development
Why boys may be more vulnerable
How animal models are helping us understand the biology
What this could mean for new anti-seizure therapies in the future

Understanding Gestational Hypertension

Gestational hypertension refers to high blood pressure that develops during pregnancy, typically after 20 weeks of gestation. Unlike chronic hypertension, it usually resolves postpartum. However, it can pose serious risks to both mother and baby, including

Preterm birth
Low birth weight
Possibly long-term neurological effects on the child

According to recent estimates, about 5-10% of pregnancies are affected by gestational hypertension, making it a common and important prenatal condition to monitor closely.

The Study: Massive Datasets and Animal Models Combine

Published in the Journal of Clinical Investigation, this study is among the first to confirm a large-scale connection between maternal hypertension and seizure disorders in offspring. The research utilized:

The Epic Cosmos dataset, covering over 246 million patient records across U.S. and Lebanon hospitals
Rich data from University of Iowa and Stanford University cohorts
A population-based cohort in Taiwan

This large-scale analysis added depth and diversity, ensuring the findings weren’t limited to a single population or region.

Mice Confirm What the Data Suggests

To dig deeper into how gestational hypertension might biologically affect the developing brain, researchers created two specialized mouse models that mimicked pregnancy-related high blood pressure. The findings were eye-opening:

Offspring exposed to high blood pressure in utero had increased seizure sensitivity
The effect was stronger in male pups
The root cause was traced to neuroinflammation, brain inflammation triggered during development

“We were even able to reduce seizures in mice offspring with anti-inflammatory drugs based on what we learned from the model,” said Dr. Wit Mahajan of Stanford University, underlining the therapeutic potential of these insights.

Also Read:Ageing and Elderly care

Why Neuroinflammation is Important?

Neuroinflammation during fetal development may disrupt normal brain circuitry, leading to higher seizure risk later in life. The study opens up exciting prospects for targeted interventions, such as anti-inflammatory therapies for at-risk infants, especially if signs of gestational hypertension are identified early.

“The connection between high blood pressure in pregnant moms and seizures in children had been postulated before, but never examined on a large scale, and never modeled in an animal,” said Dr. Baojian Xue, senior research scientist at University of Iowa and lead author.

Boys May Be at Higher Risk

Interestingly, the study also observed sex-based vulnerability, with male offspring showing a higher susceptibility to seizures compared to females. This observation may help clinicians prioritize early monitoring and intervention in certain populations.

Future Outlook: Can We Prevent Seizures with Early Action?

With these insights, researchers believe it may soon be possible to develop childhood anti-seizure therapies specifically aimed at those exposed to gestational hypertension. Further clinical trials and drug development targeting neuroinflammatory pathways may pave the way for preventive strategies.

Final Takeaway: Maternal Health Matters More Than We Thought

This research reinforces a critical message, maternal health isn’t just about pregnancy outcomes, but lifelong impacts on the child. Understanding the connection between gestational hypertension and childhood seizures offers an opportunity for early detection, targeted therapies, and better neurological health in future generations.

Reference: Baojian Xueet al. Gestational hypertension increases risk of seizures in children and mice. J Clin Invest.2025 Jun 16;135(12):e183393.

I am an MBBS graduate and a dedicated medical writer with a strong passion for deep research and psychology. I enjoy breaking down complex medical topics into engaging, easy-to-understand content, aiming to educate and inspire readers by exploring the fascinating connection between health, science, and the human mind.