[Complication of ascites in pregnancy-induced hypertension]

Twenty three pregnancy-induced hypertension (PIH) patients with ascites were treated in Beijing Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital from Jan. 1981 to April 1992. The incidence of ascites in PIH was 1.9/1000 in total in this study, and 21.6/1000 in severe PIH. Clinical manifestations showed an early onset of PIH at 29.4 +/- 4.8 weeks, and ascites occurred at 32.4 +/- 7.4 weeks. There were 18 cases out of 23 who had no routine antenatal care, all of them had complications with IUGR. Laboratory studies: ascites showed transudate in all of them except one with chronic nephritis exhibiting milky appearance. 10% of patients had abnormal complete blood count (CBC) and 13%-17% abnormal electrolytes. 17.0% of the patients had GPT > 30IU, 21.0% urea nitrogen > 35 g/L, 95.7% had plasma albumin < 35 g/L. The ratio of A/G was < 1.5 in all patients. We conclude that once PIH was 1.5 in all patients. We conclude that once PIH was complicated by ascites, it can not be cured by active treatment. It is an indication for termination of pregnancy. After delivery the ascites and pleural effusion gradually disappeared in 2 weeks. Perinatal mortality rate was as high as 42.1% because of premature induced labor and IUGR.