Perinatal outcome in pregnancy induced hypertension
Gupta, K.B.; Randhawa, I.; Pal, A.; Premi, H.K.; Ganeshan, J.
Journal of the Indian Medical Association 94(1): 6; 16
1996
ISSN/ISBN: 0019-5847 PMID: 8776031 Document Number: 463063
During December 1989-May 1991 in India, a prospective study was conducted of 140 pregnant women with hypertension admitted to Kamla Nehru Hospital in Shimla to examine pregnancy outcomes. These women represented 4.1% of all pregnant women admitted to this hospital during the study period. 52.8% of the 140 women were primigravidae. The mean diastolic blood pressure was 99.9 mmHg. The mean arterial pressure was 113.7 mmHg. 21 (14%) of the 149 infants (9 being twins) born to these women died, for a perinatal mortality rate (PMR) of 140/1000 births. 13 of the perinatal deaths were stillbirths, for a stillbirth rate of 8.7%. PMR increased as blood pressure increased: 9.5% for 140/90-149/94; 38% for 150/95-159/109; and 52.3% for 160/110 and above. Low birth weight (=or- 2000 g) infants comprised 17.4% of all births. All perinatal deaths had increased serum uric acid levels (4.5 mg%). PMR was highest for serum uric acid levels of 7.6-8.5 mg% (28.5% vs. 9.5-23.8%). Based on these findings, obstetricians are advised to regularly check the blood pressure and serum uric acid levels of pregnant women in order to reduce hypertension-related PMR.