Fetal Fornix and Hippocampus in Pregnant Women With Early-Onset Preeclampsia

Since early-onset preeclampsia (EOPE) is commonly associated with inadequate placentation, placental insufficiency, chronic fetal hypoxia, oxidative stress, and heightened inflammation, these pathological processes may adversely affect hippocampal neuronal development and maturation of axonal pathways such as the fornix. These mechanisms support our hypothesis that fetal fornix and hippocampus dimensions may be reduced in pregnancies complicated by EOPE, forming the scientific basis of our study.

Previous research has suggested a potential link between preeclampsia (PE) and altered neurocognitive development. However, no studies to date have specifically evaluated the relationship between EOPE and fetal fornix or hippocampus dimensions. Therefore, the objective of our study is to assess fetal fornix and hippocampus measurements in pregnant women with early-onset preeclampsia compared with healthy controls.