Journal of Maternal and Child Health, Vol. 11 No. 3 (2026)
Association Between Hypertension in Pregnancy and Neonatal Head Circumference at Dr. Moewardi Hospital, Surakarta, Central Java, Indonesia
Annisya Fitria, Medical Study Program, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Sebelas Maret
Andhika Trisna Putra, Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Sebelas Maret Dr. Moewardi Hospital, Surakarta
Irfan Dzakir Nugroho, Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Sebelas Maret Dr. Moewardi Hospital, Surakarta
Abstract
Background: Hypertension during pregnancy remains a major obstetric complication that contributes significantly to maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality. This condition may lead to uteroplacental insufficiency, resulting in impaired fetal growth and development. Neonatal head circumference is commonly used as an indicator of intrauterine brain growth; however, evidence regarding its association with hypertension in pregnancy is still limited. This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between hypertension in pregnancy and neonatal head circumference at Dr. Moewardi Hospital, Surakarta.
Subjects and Method: This study employed an analytic observational cross-sectional design using retrospective data and was conducted at Dr. Moewardi Hospital, Surakarta. The study included 80 mother–newborn pairs selected using purposive sampling from medical records between 2023 and 2025. The independent variable was hypertension in pregnancy, and the dependent variable was neonatal head circumference. Data were analyzed using the chi-square test and presented as odds ratios (OR), 95% confidence intervals (CI), and p-values.
Results: The findings showed no significant association between hypertension in pregnancy and neonatal head circumference (OR = 1.485; 95% CI = 0.429 to 5.143; p = 0.531). Maternal nutritional status was significantly associated with hypertension in pregnancy, with abnormal BMI increasing the risk (OR = 4.636; p = 0.003)..
Conclusion: Hypertension in pregnancy was not significantly related to neonatal head circumference. However, maternal nutritional status was significantly associated with hypertension in pregnancy.
Keywords: hypertension in pregnancy, neonatal head circumference, newborn, maternal nutritional status