Prevalence of hypertension in pregnancy

Abstract

DESIGN: Descriptive, retrospective study to find the Incidence and epidemiological factors related to Hipertension during pregnancy by reviewing 168 clinical histories of 1216 obstetrical patients attended from March 1995 through March 1996. Statistical analysis was done based on frequencies, percentages, and position and dispersion measures. RESULTS: Frequency was 13,8%, including preeclampsia 6,7%, transitory hypertension 3,8%, chronic hypertension 1,6%, hypertension plus preeclampsia 1,3%, and eclampsia 0,3%. It was more frequent in first pregnancies (54,2%), married (87,5%), high school or superior education (90%), ages 30 to 34 (28%). Pre-eclampsia and eclampsia occurred more frequently in women less than 25 year-old and the other hypertensive diseases in women over 35. CONCLUSION: Hypertensive diseases of pregnancy are frequent findings in obstetrical patients, mainly pre-eclampsia. Its study and control are important in order to decrease maternal and neonatal morbidity and mortality.