Frequency of preterm delivery in proteinuric verses non proteinuric pregnancy induced hypertension

To compare the frequency of preterm labour associated with gestational proteinuric hypertension versus gestational non-proteinuric hypertension.

The prospective cohort study was conducted at the Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Dow University of Health Sciences and Civil Hospital Karachi, from April 1 to September 30, 2012, and comprised primigravidas of more than or equal to 20th weeks of gestation having blood pressure >140/90 mm Hg. Those with gestational hypertension with proteinuria represented the exposed group, while the non-exposed group had primigravidas with gestational hypertension without proteinuria. SPSS 10 was used to analyse data.

There were 112 subjects, with 56(50%) in each of the two groups. Mean maternal age in exposed group was 28.3±4.49 years and in the non-exposed group 26.08±0.04 years. Mean gestational age in the exposed group was 36.89±4.04 weeks and in the non-exposed group 37.75±3.428 weeks. Women with gestational hypertension with proteinuria were more likely to deliver preterm infants compared to women with gestational hypertension without proteinuria (p=0.009).

Gestational proteinuric hypertension increased the risk of preterm labour, therefore vigilant monitoring of gestational proteinuric hypertension is important.