Evaluation of B-type natriuretic peptide levels in singleton hypertensive minority women

To determine the pattern of the B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) levels in minority women presenting with elevated blood pressure during pregnancy.

A review of 503 charts was undertaken, in sequence, of pregnant women who presented to the service with elevated blood pressure or had been referred there for suspected hypertension. Serum BNP levels had been obtained and other diagnostic procedures performed. Ultimately 283 women were determined not to meet the criteria for hypertension or were normotensive. A total of 110 patients met the criteria for gestational hypertension, and 68 patients met the criteria for preeclampsia.

There were no differences in BNP levels among women of Hispanic and of African heritage in each category. BNP levels were significantly higher in women in the preeclamptic group, whether of African or Hispanic heritage. The negative predictive values for women with preeclampsia were 87.04% for women of African heritage and 96.38% for women of Hispanic origin.

No differences in BNP levels were found among minority women of African or Hispanic descent. Serum BNP levels provide useful information for the clinical evaluation and management of singleton patients presenting to triage hypertensive after 20 weeks of pregnancy.