Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy and maternal and foetal outcome: a case controlled study.

A case controlled prospective study of 250 cases of hypertension complicating pregnancy (study group) and 400 normal pregnant women (control group) was carried out to determine the effect of hypertension on maternal and foetal outcome. Pregnancy induced hypertension was present in 96% cases and chronic hypertension in 4% cases. Preterm delivery (28.8% versus 3%), labour induction rate (52.8% versus 3.25%), caesarean section rate (14.8% versus 3.5%), stillbirth rate (4.8% versus 0.25%) and overall perinatal mortality rate (14.8% versus 1%) were higher in study group compared to controls. In study group (40%) babies required special nursery care compared to controls (6.75%). From these results it can be concluded that maternal hypertension is associated with adverse pregnancy outcome.