Publication:

Hypertensive disorder of pregnancy and its immediate outcome on neonates in a tertiary care hospital of Western Nepal

Background Hypertensive disorders in pregnancy remain a major cause of maternal and neonatal morbidity and mortality worldwide. This study prospectively examined the immediate neonatal outcome of women with maternal hypertensive disorder of pregnancy (HPD).

Methods This is a prospective study conducted at NICU in Universal College of Medical Sciences Hospital over a period from 2nd February 2018 to 1st February 2019. Fifty-two mothers and their newborn were selected. Mothers with gestational hypertension, preeclampsia, and preeclampsia superimposed on chronic hypertension and chronic hypertension were included.

Results Mean maternal age was 26.4 years. Mean gestational age was 34±4 weeks. 38 were male and 24 were female with male: female ratio 1.72:1. Thirty seven (71.2%) mothers needed lower uterine caesarian section, fourteen (26.9%) mothers delivered NVD and one (1.9%) forceps delivery. Low birth weight (<2.5kg) babies were 25 (48.1%%), very low birth weight (<1.5kg) were 9 (17.3%) and normal weight were 18 (34.3%). Intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR) were 18(30%). Perinatal asphyxia 10 (19.2%) were most common cause of admission, other cause of admission were sepsis and prematurity.

Conclusions Eclampsia is still a common and serious complication of pregnancy. Proper antenatal care, detection of preeclampsia with early management and timely referral of high risk patient, administered of MgSO4 in correct doses and properly timed caesarean section in selected cases would reduce the incidence of eclampsia associated maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality in our facility.