Hypertension in pregnancy--a major hospital cause for concern.
OBJECTIVE
To document the contribution made by hypertensive disease of pregnancy on maternal and foetal outcome in order to suggest possible changes in management.


METHODS
A descriptive study.


METHODS
Harare Hospital-a tertiary referral hospital in Zimbabwe.


METHODS
Records of all women seen in the Unit were reviewed on a daily basis by one research fellow.


METHODS
Predefined events related to maternal and foetal outcome.


RESULTS
A total of 354 women out of 4,846 cases reviewed were admitted for hypertensive related problems. Seven hundred and thirteen women were admitted to the antenatal ward, 39.8% because of hypertension; 55.6% were multiparous. Hypertensive women stayed in the antenatal ward for a mean of 7.9 days and gestation on admission was over 32 weeks in 64.4% of cases. Low birthweight, preterm labour, perinatal and maternal mortality and all measures of short term perinatal morbidity were significantly increased in the hypertensive group.


CONCLUSIONS
The results clearly demonstrate the reproductive health issues associated with hypertension in pregnancy. The discussion focuses on methods to improve the management of these women.
Mahomed
K
K
Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Zimbabwe Medical School, Avondale, Harare, Zimbabwe.
Mudzamiri
S
S
Munetsi
J
J
Nyoni
J
J
Gakanje
P
P
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006760:Hospitalization; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000150:complications* / Q000628:therapy; D009017:Morbidity; D011247:Pregnancy; D011249:Pregnancy Complications, Cardiovascular / Q000628:therapy; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome; D014504:Urban Health; D015030:Zimbabwe