The relationship between maternal hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP) and adverse neurodevelopmental outcomes in offspring has largely been derived from observational studies, raising concerns about residual confounding. Using a two-sample Mendelian randomization approach with genetic data from the FinnGen database, this study evaluated the causal impact of gestational hypertension, pre-eclampsia superimposed on chronic hypertension, and pre-eclampsia/eclampsia on childhood neurodevelopmental disorders, including cerebral palsy, autism spectrum disorder, and hyperkinetic disorders.
Across all HDP subtypes and neurodevelopmental outcomes, no significant causal associations were identified, with odds ratios approximating unity and narrow confidence intervals. Sensitivity analyses using MR-Egger regression showed no evidence of horizontal pleiotropy, supporting the robustness of the…
