Determination of Prevalence and Risk Factors Contributing to Hypertensive Disorders in Pregnant Females in Ahmedabad Region of Gujarat Shivani M. Patel

Abstract

Hypertensive disorders in pregnancy (HDP) usually impediments pregnancies and peril an influence on the maternal and fetal health. Miscarriage, low amniotic fluid (oligohydramnios), premature labor and birth, preeclampsia, ectopic pregnancy, placenta previa, gestational diabetes are few pregnancy related complications that affects mother’s as well as fetal health. It also affects maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality rates. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and risk factors contributing tohypertensive disorders in pregnant females in Ahmedabad region of Gujarat. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study was a prospective, two centric study, wherein 245 pregnant females, visiting the study sites were enrolled. It was a questionnaire based study which evaluated the risk factors prevailing among the females with hypertensive disorders. Various parameters studied were age, body mass index, personal and spouse details of education, working status, current medical conditions, medical history, obstetric history, quality and quantity of sleep, stress and symptoms related to hypertensive problems. Chi square test and Fischer’s exact test was used to find significance at 95% confidence interval using Graphpad prism 7 software. RESULT: Out of 245 pregnant females, 30 (12.24%) were found to be hypertensive and 215 (87.76%) were found to be normotensive. 19 (63.33%) pregnant females were found to have gestational hypertension, Four (13.33%) pregnant females were found to have chronic hypertension with pregnancy, Five (16.66%) pregnant females had preeclampsia,One (3.33%) female suffered from eclampsia, One (3.33%) female showed preeclampsia superimposed on chronic hypertension. Major risk factors co-related with hypertensive disorders in pregnancy were found to be age, body mass index, stress, sleep duration and anaemia. Major maternal outcome was found to be C-section and premature delivery, whereas major fetal outcome was found to be low birth weight and intra uterine growth restriction. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of hypertensive disorders in pregnancy were found to be more in this region as compared to other studies done in other parts of the country. Since there are no proper guidelines or standardized diagnosis and treatment for hypertensive disorders in pregnancy, it would be worthwhile to add a professional healthcare team to develop and guide the diagnosis, prevention and treatment of hypertensive disorders for better healthand prognosis of the pregnant females.