Examining preeclampsia correlation with cognitive development and symptoms of behavioral disorders among children

Introduction: The present study aimed to determine the correlation between maternal pre-eclampsia and cognitive development and symptoms of behavioral disorders in children and adolescents. Materials & Methods: The research was conducted in 2017 by descriptive correlation method. The statistical population included 1406 children born in 2006-2009-2012 in Hafez Educational-Medical Center located in Shiraz. According to Morgan's table, 300 children were selected as a sample, our sample was limited to children with data available on maternal pre-eclampsia. Cognitive development was evaluated by the Raven's Coloured Progressive with the validity 41% and reliability 62%. Symptoms of behavioral disorders were assessed by the Rutter Behavioral Disorders Questionnaire for parents and the validity of 97% and reliability of 92% were achieved. Data analysis was performed in SPSS software. Ethics code: IR.SUMS.REC.1397.146 Findings: The results showed that there is a significant and positive relationship between preeclampsia and cognitive development was equal to 0.187 which was significant at P <0.01. there was a significant relationship between maternal pre-eclampsia and cognitive development. Also, the correlation between pre-eclampsia and aggression is equal to 0.317, with child anxiety is equal to 0.247, with maladaptation is equal to 0.240 and with attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder is -0.212, all of which are significant at the level of p <001. It was found that there is a significant inverse relationship between pre-eclampsia and aggression, anxiety, maladaptation and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, but the correlation between pre-eclampsia and child antisocial behavior was 0.107 and no significant relationship was observed. Discussions & Conclusions: maternal pre-eclampsia can affect cognitive development and behavior in childhood. On the other hand, more hospitalization of these infants in their intensive care unit can lead to disruption in child development.