Perinatal outcome in women with severe chronic hypertension during the second half of pregnancy

To determine the perinatal outcome associated with severe chronic hypertension (SCH) in pregnancies of > or =20 weeks' gestation.

A retrospective analysis of data obtained prospectively of patients with SCH (> or =160/110 mmHg) who were hospitalized and delivered during a 5-year period. Each patient received intensive monitoring of the clinical status throughout the hospitalization (mother, fetus and neonates). Antihypertensive drugs were used for blood pressure > or =160/110 mmHg, glucocorticoids for pregnancies of 24-34 weeks and magnesium sulfate for women with superimposed pre-eclampsia (SPE). The main outcome measures were fetal and neonatal deaths, fetal growth restriction (FGR), major neonatal complications and length of stay in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU).

Of 154 women studied, 78% developed SPE and the mean week's gestation at delivery was 34.5+/-4.6. The average birth weight was 2329+/-1011 g. and the FGR was 18.5%. Four patients had a dead fetus at the time of admission, eight during the hospitalization and there were six neonatal deaths resulting in perinatal mortality of 11.4%. Thirty-eight babies were admitted to the NICU, average stay was 14.8 days. The most common contributors to neonatal mortality and morbidity were pulmonary complications and sepsis.

This study found that the neonatal outcomes in pregnancy with SCH are better than the historical experience, but preterm deliveries, cesarean section, SPE, abruptions and total perinatal mortality remains very high.