Management of hypertension in pregnancy: prevention, diagnosis, treatment and long‑term prognosis

Abstract

A P E R Management of hypertension in pregnancy 757 to 10% of pregnancies in the United States and Europe. Women with chronic HT (1%-5% of the general population) have a higher risk of PE than women without pre existing HT (17%-25% vs 3%-5%, respectively). Furthermore, 7% to 20% of women with chronic HT have poor BP control in pregnancy (excluding those with PE). Significantly elevated BP in pregnancy is a di rect threat to maternal and fetal health and life. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), HT and its complications are among the leading causes of mortality in pregnancy in developed countries (approx. 16%). [9][ ][11] HT promotes low birth weight (LBW), increas es the risk of PE superimposed on chronic HT and preterm birth, may cause placental abrup tion, leads to complications which require pro longed intensive care of a neonate with special ist neonatal treatment, and may cause intrauter ine fetal death. 12,13 PE is the most dangerous maternal complica tion of HT. PE is associated with a particularly high risk of complications harmful to the mother