Hypertensive disorders of Pregnancy (HDP) continue to be a major threat to maternal and neonatal health, particularly in developing countries like India. A recent study conducted at Cama and Albless Hospital, a tertiary care teaching hospital in Mumbai, highlights the clinical profile and outcomes of pregnant women affected by pregnancy-related hypertension.
The six-month retrospective observational study analyzed 30 pregnant women diagnosed with hypertensive disorders after 20 weeks of gestation. The findings reaffirm that HDP affects nearly 5–10% of pregnancies and remains a leading cause of preventable maternal and perinatal complications.
Gestational hypertension emerged as the most common condition, accounting for 63.3% of cases, followed by preeclampsia (16.7%), severe preeclampsia with complications including HELLP syndrome and chronic hypertension with superimposed preeclampsia (16.7%), and eclampsia (3.3%). Women aged between 25 and 34 years formed the majority of cases, with severe forms of hypertension more frequently observed in women aged 35 years and above.
Nearly half of the women were admitted between 34 and 36 weeks of gestation, while early-onset disease before 34 weeks was associated with more severe complications. Due to maternal or fetal risk, cesarean section was the preferred mode of delivery in 86.7% of cases.
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Commenting on the findings, Dr. Tushar Palve, Associate Professor, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, said, “Hypertensive disorders in pregnancy are often silent in the early stages but can progress rapidly if not detected in time. Regular antenatal check-ups and blood pressure monitoring are critical in preventing life-threatening complications for both mother and baby.”
Despite the high rate of operative deliveries, maternal outcomes were encouraging. No maternal deaths or major life-threatening complications were reported during the study period, reflecting the benefits of timely intervention at a tertiary care center.
Neonatal outcomes were also largely favorable. All pregnancies resulted in live births, with no stillbirths recorded. Low birth weight was observed in 36.7% of newborns, mainly among mothers with severe preeclampsia or eclampsia. NICU admission was required in 16.7% of cases, primarily due to prematurity and low birth weight.
Dr. Palve further added, “Early diagnosis, close surveillance, and timely referral to tertiary care facilities can significantly improve fetomaternal outcomes. Lifestyle modifications and awareness among expectant mothers play an equally important role in prevention.”
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Medical experts stress that maintaining a healthy diet, limiting salt intake, staying physically active, managing stress, avoiding tobacco and alcohol, and ensuring adequate sleep can help reduce the risk of hypertension during pregnancy.
The study underscores the urgent need to strengthen antenatal care services and promote early referral of high-risk pregnancies to specialized centers to safeguard maternal and neonatal health.