Fetal sex and differential survival in preeclampsia and eclampsia.

PURPOSE

We investigate sex differences in the incidence of stillbirth, neonatal mortality, and perinatal mortality among singletons born to mothers with preeclampsia or eclampsia.

METHODS

Retrospective cohort analysis of a population-based sample of singleton births covering the period 1989 through 2005 (n = 56,313).

RESULTS

The study population comprised 26,931 female (47.8%) and 29,382 male infants (52.2%; referent group). Overall, the prevalence of stillbirth, neonatal mortality and perinatal mortality were 0.68, 0.52 and 1.2%, respectively. There was no sex difference in the incidence of stillbirth, neonatal or perinatal mortality among offspring of mothers in this study.

CONCLUSION

Although there was a preponderance of male infants among mothers with preeclampsia or eclampsia, we did not observe any sex-associated differences in fetal or neonatal survival among offspring of mothers with preeclampsia or eclampsia.