[Hypotensive disorders during pregnancy as a cause of fetal hazard (author's transl)].

Hypotension during pregnancy is correlated with a perinatal mortality of 5.08%. Premature birth and growth retardation of the fetus in patients with hypotension are also often seen. The cause of hypotension is most likely a redistribution of the maternal blood volume in distended areas of the venous system and a low blood volume per se. The approach for the treatment of hypotension and the improvement of fetal well being may be the application of compounds which prevent the dilation of the venous vessels. A second approach could be the application of Desoxy-corticosteron-trimethyl-acetat (DCTA) to improve the maternal blood volume by retention of potassium. Both has to be examined in well defined investigations.