What is the clinical evidence from this study?

Study design: Cohort. Population: pregnancies at risk for preeclampsia (n=235). Intervention: Atenolol. Primary outcome: severe maternal hypertension, preterm delivery, and fetal growth.

What does this research mean for the field?

Early antihypertensive therapy with atenolol in pregnancies at risk for preeclampsia is associated with low rates of severe preeclampsia and delivery before 32 weeks. Novelty: ClaimNovelty.INCREMENTAL. Consensus alignment: ConsensusAlignment.NEUTRAL.

What question did this study set out to answer?

To evaluate how early antihypertensive therapy during pregnancy affects maternal health and fetal development.

July 6, 2026Obstetrics and Gynecology

Treatment of hypertension in pregnancy: effect of atenolol on maternal disease, preterm delivery, and fetal growth

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Key result

Early atenolol in at-risk pregnancies is linked to a ~0.4% rate of severe preeclampsia.

n=235

Why the study?

The impact of antihypertensive therapy initiated early in pregnancy on maternal and fetal outcomes needed assessment.

Does early intervention with atenolol improve maternal and fetal outcomes in pregnancies at risk for preeclampsia?

Population

Two hundred thirty-five pregnancies at risk for preeclampsia

Comparison

Atenolol therapy initiated early in pregnancy directed by cardiac output measurements

Design

Retrospective review

Authors

TEThomas R. EasterlingUniversity of Washington

Discussion

Member takes

Implication

Supports early atenolol consideration in high-risk pregnancies; leaves open whether RCTs confirm benefit versus standard care.

Key Points

To evaluate how early antihypertensive therapy during pregnancy affects maternal health and fetal development.
Retrospective review of 235 pregnancies at risk for preeclampsia treated with atenolol.
Analysis included cardiac output measurements and comparisons with prior pregnancy outcomes.
Data were analyzed using paired and unpaired t-tests, ANOVA, and linear regression.
Only 2.1% of pregnancies delivered before 32 weeks; 4.7% before 34 weeks.
Percentile birth weight increased from the 20th to the 40th percentile over the study period (P = 0.002).
Low birth weight was significantly associated with prior growth restriction and treatment inconsistencies (P < 0.001).

Study Design

Type

Cohort (n=235)

Structured PICO

Does early intervention with atenolol improve maternal and fetal outcomes in pregnancies at risk for preeclampsia?

Population

235 pregnancies at risk for preeclampsia treated with atenolol in early pregnancy.

Exposure

Atenolol initiated early in pregnancy, with therapy directed by measurements of cardiac output (10% also received furosemide, 20% hydralazine).

Outcome

Maternal disease (severe preeclampsia), preterm delivery, and fetal growth (percentile birth weight).hard clinical

Coverage & sources

Journal, society, and media accounts. Useful signal, not independent expert judgment.

Cite This Study

Thomas R. Easterling (2001) conducted a cohort in pregnancies at risk for preeclampsia (n=235). Atenolol was evaluated on severe maternal hypertension, preterm delivery, and fetal growth. Early antihypertensive therapy with atenolol in pregnancies at risk for preeclampsia was associated with low rates of severe preeclampsia (0.4%) and delivery before 32 weeks (2.1%).

synapsesocial.com/papers/6a4c1c08c13f3ca5c8fdf3da https://doi.org/10.1016/s0029-7844(01)01477-6

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Treatment of hypertension in pregnancy: effect of atenolol on maternal disease, preterm delivery, and fetal growth

Discussion

Member takes

Implication

Key Points

Study Design

Structured PICO

Coverage & sources

Cite This Study

Treatment of hypertension in pregnancy: effect of atenolol on maternal disease, preterm delivery, and fetal growth

Discussion

Member takes

Implication

Key Points

Study Design

Structured PICO

Coverage & sources

Cite This Study

Also Consider

Also Consider