Open AccessElectroencephalography in Normotensive and Hypertensive Pregnancies and Subsequent Quality of Life
Author(s) -
Ingrid A. Brussé,
Johannes J. Duvekot,
Ivette Meester,
Gerard Jansen,
Dimitris Rizopoulos,
Eric A.P. Steegers,
Gerhard H. Visser
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
plos one
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.99
H-Index - 332
ISSN - 1932-6203
DOI - 10.1371/journal.pone.0155299
Subject(s) - electroencephalography , medicine , preeclampsia , pregnancy , observational study , obstetrics , postpartum period , visual analogue scale , quality of life (healthcare) , mental health , psychiatry , physical therapy , genetics , biology , nursing
Objectives To compare electroencephalography (EEG) findings during pregnancy and postpartum in women with normotensive pregnancies and pregnancies complicated by hypertensive disorders. Also the health related quality of life postpartum was related to these EEG findings. Materials and Methods An observational case-control study in a university hospital in the Netherlands. Twenty-nine normotensive and 58 hypertensive pregnant women were included. EEG’s were recorded on several occasions during pregnancy and 6–8 weeks postpartum. Postpartum, the women filled out health related quality of life questionnaires. Main outcome measures were qualitative and quantitative assessments on EEG, multidimensional fatigue inventory, Short Form (36) Health Survey and EuroQoL visual analogue scale. Results In women with severe preeclampsia significantly lower alpha peak frequency, more delta and theta activity bilaterally and a higher EEG Sum Score were seen. Postpartum, these women showed impaired mental health, mental fatigue and social functioning, which could not be related to the EEG findings. Conclusions Severe preeclamptic patients show more EEG abnormalities and have impaired mental wellbeing postpartum, but these findings are not correlated.