Risk factors for postpartum hypertension in women with twin pregnancies

Which physical findings and blood parameters predict postpartum hypertension remain to be studied in women with twin pregnancies.

The antenatal systolic and diastolic blood pressures (SBP and DBP, respectively), and 16 laboratory variables were investigated in 150 normotensive women who gave birth to twins.

When the median values of the 18 continuous variables were used as cut-off values, an SBP>120 mm Hg (relative risk [95% confidence interval], 2.81 [1.94-4.08]), a DBP>70 mm Hg (2.42 [1.68-3.49]), an aspartate aminotransferase level>18 U/L (2.22 [1.55-3.19]), and a uric acid level>5.3 mg/dL (1.68 [1.20-2.36]) were independent risk factors for postpartum hypertension.

Antenatal blood pressure measurements and a laboratory work-up may be useful clinically for predicting postpartum hypertension in women with twin pregnancies.