European Journal of Molecular & Clinical Medicine

Abstract

Hypertension is one of the common problems associated with pregnancy that may be followed by eclampsia, acute renal failure, maternal death, premature delivery, intra-uterine growth restriction and other. This study was conducted to determine the results of pregnancies associated with hypertension in patients visiting in the Delivery Ward of Govt. Thanjavur medical college hospital (Tertiary care Centre) Thanjavur. Methods: A descriptive study was conducted on all the patients admitted to the aforementioned department and who possessed the inclusion criteria for hypertensive pregnancy. Results: Among the 7004 delivery cases examined, 1315 cases had hypertension (18.8%). Among these, 983 (74.7%) had gestational hypertension; 209 (15.9%) had preeclampsia- eclampsia; 38 (2.9%) had preeclampsia superimposed on chronic hypertension; 83 (6.3%) cases had chronic hypertension; and 3 (0.2%) had associated comorbid conditions like Liver & Renal disorders. Ninety-six point three percent (96.3%) had a systolic blood pressure (BP) of 140 - 190 mmHg, and 3.7% had a systolic BP greater than 190 mmHg. Whereas 61.1% of diastolic blood pressure 90 - 110 mmHg and 38.9% of the mothers had diastolic BP greater than 110 mmHg. The HELLP (Hemolysis, Elevated Liver enzymes & Low Platelet count) syndrome was present in 3.4% of cases; 22.1% experienced premature delivery; 2.5% had IUFD (intra uterine fetal death); 28.1% had IUGR (intrauterine growth retardation); and 21% had LBW babies. Conclusions: Based on our results, hypertensive mothers who are younger and have lower weight babies at birth experience more perinatal complications. The unpleasant effects of hypertension in pregnancy warrant the need for training, routine prenatal care, the early detection and treatment of hypertension at younger ages of pregnancy, and follow-up after delivery.