title: Cardiovascular response and complications of glucocorticoid therapy in hypertensive pregnancies.
abstract: Forty-seven of 52 women with pregnancy-induced hypertension completed a protocol consisting of 4 gm of hydrocortisone given over 24 hours (1 gm every 8 hours). All patients' fetuses were less than 36 weeks' gestation and had an immature lecithin sphingomyelin ratio (less than 2). The hydrocortisone was given to reduce the incidence of respiratory distress syndrome. The admitting systolic blood pressure was 148.8 +/- 21.8 torr and diastolic was 105.6 +/- 18.9 torr. Blood pressure change was compared before, during, and after treatment. This study demonstrates no aggravating effect on maternal blood pressure even in severely hypertensive (blood pressure = 160/110 torr) patients.
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006973:Hypertension / Q000503:physiopathology*; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D011247:Pregnancy; D011249:Pregnancy Complications, Cardiovascular / Q000503:physiopathology*; D012127:Respiratory Distress Syndrome, Newborn / Q000517:prevention & control*
chemical_list: D006854:Hydrocortisone