Journal Article Review Epublish
PubMed: 40572764 DOI: 10.3390/medicina61061077
Neonates at Risk: Understanding the Impact of High-Risk Pregnancies on Neonatal Health.
Medicina (Kaunas) 61(6)
Authors: Rozeta Sokou, Alexandra Lianou, Maria Lampridou, Polytimi Panagiotounakou, Georgios Kafalidis, Styliani Paliatsiou, Paraskevi Volaki, Andreas G Tsantes, Theodora Boutsikou, Zoi Iliodromiti, Nicoletta Iacovidou
Affiliations
- Neonatal Department, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Aretaieio Hospital, 11528 Athens, Greece.
- Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, "Agios Panteleimon" General Hospital of Nikea, 18454 Piraeus, Greece.
- Microbiology Department, "Saint Savvas" Oncology Hospital, 11522 Athens, Greece.
- Laboratory of Haematology and Blood Bank Unit, School of Medicine, "Attiko" Hospital, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 12462 Athens, Greece.
Abstract
High-risk pregnancies (HRPs) constitute a significant global health issue due to their strong association with increased maternal and neonatal morbidity and mortality. Although pregnancy is generally characterized by positive expectations, the presence of maternal comorbidities, gestational complications, or adverse socioeconomic and environmental conditions can markedly elevate the probability of unfavorable outcomes. HRPs contribute disproportionately to complications such as preterm birth, fetal growth restriction, low birth weight, and congenital anomalies, which are key determinants of neonatal mortality and long-term developmental and health challenges. A broad spectrum of risk factors as well as insufficient prenatal care, underscores the complex nature of HRPs. These conditions necessitate a multidisciplinary management approach encompassing early risk identification, continuous monitoring, and individualized interventions. The neonatal prognosis in such contexts is strongly influenced by gestational age at delivery, birth weight, the standard of neonatal care, and the underlying etiological factors driving preterm or complicated deliveries. Preventive strategies including comprehensive prenatal screening, systematic antenatal follow-up, and timely referral to specialized perinatal care centers are essential for reducing the burden of HRPs. Furthermore, addressing social determinants of health-such as low socioeconomic status and limited access to healthcare-is critical for optimizing maternal and neonatal outcomes. This review consolidates current evidence on the epidemiology, etiological factors, and clinical implications of high-risk pregnancies, emphasizing the necessity of an integrative, preventive, and multidisciplinary framework to mitigate adverse neonatal outcomes and improve long-term health trajectories.
MeSH
Diabetes, Gestational, Pregnancy, High-Risk, Pregnancy, Mortality, Parturition, Infant, Newborn, Pre-Eclampsia, Birth Weight, Fetal Growth Retardation