Publications

Abstract:

Hypertensive disorders affect approximately 10%of all pregnancies. The spectrum of the disease ranges from mildly elevated blood pressures with minimal clinical significance to severe hypertension and multi-organ dysfunction. Hypertension in pregnancy is responsible for 14% of all maternal deaths world-wide. Approximately a third of hypertensive disorders in pregnancy are due to pre-existing hypertension and two thirds occur due to pregnancy. This article details how hypertension in pregnancy is a major cause of maternal, foetal and newborn morbidity and mortality and the management of hypertensive disorders in pregnancy at the primary care level.