Complications of pregnancy 2 Flashcards
What is the definition of chronic hypertension in pregnancy?
- Hypertension either pre-pregnancy or <20 wks
Mild HT – Diastolic BP 90-99, Systolic BP 140-49
Moderate HT - Diastolic BP 100-109, Systolic BP 150-159
Severe HT - Diastolic BP ≥110, Systolic BP ≥ 160
What is gestational hypertension?
Hypertension that in induced due to the pregnancy.
Develops after 20 wks.
What is pre-eclampsia? What is it’s definition?
New hypertension > 20 weeks in association with significant proteinuria.
- Mild Hypertension on two occasions more than 4 hrs apart
- Moderate to severe HT
- proteinurea of more than 300mgms/24hrs
What is the pathophysiology of pre-eclampsia?
No one really knows….
Could be immunological or a genetic predisposition.
Imbalance between vasodilators and vasoconstrictors, vasoconstrictors take over and there is a reduced placental perfusion. Baby grows less and mother gets HT
What is classed as significant proteinurea?
Automated reagent strip urine protein estimation > 1+
Spot Urinary Protein: Creatinine Ratio > 30 mg/mmol
24 hours urine protein collection > 300mg/ day
Who is most likely to have chronic hypertension and what should there management steps be?
- More commom in older mothers
- Ideally the patients should have pre-pregnancy care such as changing anti-hypertensive medication if indicated
- Aim to keep BP <150/100
- Monitor for superimposed pre-eclampsia
- Monitor fetal growth
- May have a higher incidence of placental abruption
Who is at risk of Pre-eclampsia?
- First pregnancy
- Extremes of maternal: age: young or old
- Pre-eclampsia in a previous pregnancy
- Pregnancy interval of >10 years
- BMI > 35
- History of PET
- Multiple pregnancy
- Underlying medical disorders: chronic hypertension, pre-existing renal disease, pre-existing diabetes
What organs can pre-eclampsia effect?
renal, liver, vascular, cerebral, pulmonary
What are the complications of pre-eclamsia?
Maternal
- eclamptic seizures
- severe hypertension: cerebral haemorrhage, stroke
- renal failure
- pulmonary oedema, cardiac failure
- DIC (disseminated intravascular coagulation)
- HELLP (hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, low platelets)
Fetal
- Impaired placenta perfusion
Sign/symptoms of Pre-eclampsia?
- Headache, blurring of vision, epigastric pain, pain below ribs, vomiting, sudden swelling of hands face legs
- Severe Hypertension; > 3+ of urine proteinuria
- Clonus / brisk reflexes ; papillodema, epigastric tenderness
- Reducing urine output
- Convulsions (Eclampsia)
What are biochem abnormalities of pre-eclampsia?
- raised liver enzymes, bilirubin if HELLP present
- raised urea and creatinine, raised urate
What are the haematological abnormalities in PET?
- low platelets
- low haemoglobin, signs of haemolysis
- features of DIC
What is the management of PET?
- frequent BP checks, Urine protein
- Check symptomatology – headaches, epigastric pain, visual disturbances
- Check for hyper-reflexia (clonus), tenderness over the liver
- Consider induction of labour / CS if maternal or fetal condition deteriorates, irrespective of gestation
What is the cure for PET?
Delivery of the baby
Investigations for PET?
Blood investigations:
- Full Blood Count (for hemolysis, platelets)
- Liver Function Tests
- Renal Function Tests – serum urea, creatinine, urate
- Coagulation tests if indicated
Fetal investigations
- scan for growth
- cardiotocography (CTG)