Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy

Objectives: This study was undertaken to determine the prevalence of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy and evaluate their effects on the mothers and fetuses at Jahrom, a city in southern Iran. Methods: A retrospective survey was performed on 2300 pregnant women who had referred to Shahid Motahhari Hospital of Jahrom School of Medical Sciences from 22 September 2002 to 21 September 2003. Diagnosis of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy and their probable complications were made according to medical recording files. Results: Among the studied patients, 3.3% were diagnosed as having hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, of which 96% were cases of preeclampsia/eclampsia or transient hypertension. In hypertensive patients, the overall maternal mortality rate was 1.3 per 10,000 and perinatal mortality rate was 53 per 1000 births. Low birth weight neonates were observed in 20% of cases. Conclusion: Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy commonly complicate pregnancy and have great influences on maternal and neonatal morbidity and mortality rates and more attention and precision is needed to evaluate the pregnant women for detecting and preventing the complications.