Complications
The risk is high if hypertension develops early in pregnancy.
Increased BPs adversely affect renal function, leading to proteinuria. A urine albumin level of >300 mg in 24 hours with hypertension is diagnostic.
Placental growth factor (PlGF)-based testing, used with standard clinical assessment, can help rule in or rule out preeclampsia for women with suspected preeclampsia between 20 and 36 weeks plus 6 days of gestation.[28]
Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy are associated with short-term vascular complications, as well as earlier and increased risk of cardiovascular disease.[56][57][58][59] Other risk factors include early adverse changes in lipid and carbohydrate metabolism, and relative hyperandrogenism.[60]
Presence of gestational hypertension increases the risk of macrosomia, intrauterine growth restriction (poor fetal growth), stillbirth, cesarean delivery, and admission of the neonate to the intensive care unit. The coexistence of gestational diabetes further increases the risk.[61]
Mean gestational age and mean birth weight tend to be lower.[62]
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