Blood pressure changes in normotensive women readmitted in the postpartum period with severe preeclampsia/eclampsia.

The purpose of this study was to determine whether women who had no clinical evidence of preeclampsia at delivery, but who were later readmitted with postpartum severe preeclampsia or eclampsia, differed in mean arterial pressure (MAP) and clinical presentation from women who either remained normotensive or had severe preeclampsia or eclampsia at the time of delivery. Control subjects did not require readmission and were matched (2:1) with study subjects in consecutive order for date of delivery and maternal age, race, and parity. Women in the study group had a significantly greater increase in MAP after delivery than control subjects, and analysis of variance for linear trends demonstrated highly significant differences between the study and control groups in the average intrapartum and postpartum MAPs. Compared to women in either control group, mothers who were readmitted were significantly more likely to demonstrate a > 10-mm Hg increase in MAP between the intrapartum and postpartum periods (delta MAP). Normotensive women with a delta MAP > 10 mm Hg had more than a threefold risk of readmission in the postpartum period with severe preeclampsia or eclampsia. Women who were readmitted reported a significantly greater frequency of headaches and nausea and vomiting than women with intrapartum preeclampsia. In summary, our findings indicate that MAP increase following delivery in normotensive women who were later readmitted with severe preeclampsia or eclampsia.