RISK FACTORS AND COMPLICATIONS OF HIGH-RISK PREGNANCY: A LITERATURE REVIEW

Abstract

Due to the high numbers of cases of high-risk pregnancies, the various predisposing conditions that cause this situation and the need to adopt medical care at the very beginning of the detection of the condition, this study is scientifically and socially justified as it allows expanding knowledge about the potentialities of high-risk pregnancy. In view of the above, the present work aims to explain the predisposing conditions, as well as the consequences resulting from complications that are not monitored and treated. This is a narrative literature review, with a qualitative approach. For its execution, articles published in the time frame from 2015 to 2023 published in the Google Scholar, databases were selected using the health descriptors: high risk; gestational complications; pregnancy. The data analysis was built using the following readings: Recognition, Exploratory, Reflective or Critical and Interpretive Reading. The risk factors may be associated with age, biophysical indicators related to genetics and health care; psychosocial indicators related to the behavior of the pregnant woman, the sociodemographic ones address themes about the lack of prenatal care, low income, marital status, race and ethnicity, and the environmental ones relate to the dangers found in the living and working environment. It is concluded that in high-risk pregnancies the main risk factors are associated with age, biopsychosocial and environmental factors. Complications include perinatal morbidity and mortality, prematurity and fetal malformations. It is important that pregnancies are closely monitored in order to identify a potential risk as early as possible.