Hypertension in Pregnancy

Hypertension in pregnancy is a common cause of maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality. There is a wide variation in the incidence of hypertension in pregnancy due to differences in the definition and the diagnostic methods. Preeclampsia and eclampsia seem to create more concern than others; however, any form of hypertension in pregnancy increases the risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes. Significant proteinuria is an important and common diagnostic criteria for preeclampsia but not necessarily compulsory in the diagnosis. This chapter describes the definition of hypertension in pregnancy and the diagnostic criteria. It describes the various classes of hypertension in pregnancy. This chapter equally discusses risk factors, theories, clinical features, and prevention of the different types of hypertensive disorder in pregnancy. It enumerates important investigations in diagnosing and identifying complications of hypertension in pregnancy. It discusses in detail the current approach to the management of the disorder including the role of antihypertensives and the use of magnesium sulphate as an anticonvulsant.