The patient is diagnosed with pre-eclampsia based on gestational hypertension and new-onset proteinuria. She will be admitted and started on antihypertensive treatment to control her blood pressure. Fetal wellbeing will be closely monitored with ultrasounds and CTGs. Blood tests will be done to monitor organ function. Steroids will be administered for fetal lung maturity given the possibility of early delivery required by the pre-eclampsia.

1. HYPERTENSION
IN
PREGNANCY
Supervised by: Dr. Hazirah

2. Most likely diagnosis?
● 32-year-old primigravida at 36 weeks of gestational age has a blood pressure
reading of 150/100mmHg obtained during antenatal checkup.
● Her baseline blood pressure during the pregnancy was 120/70mmHg.
● Patient DENIES any headaches, visual disturbances, nausea, vomiting, or
abdominal pain.
● Repeated BP is 160/90.
● Urine Protein: Nil
● A. Pre-eclampsia
● B. Chronic Hypertension
● C. Eclampsia
● D. Gestational Hypertension

3. HYPERTENSION IN
PREGNANCY
●SBP of 140-159 and/or
●DBP 90-109 mmHg
●Taken at at least 2 occasions 4 hours apart
Severe hypertension in pregnancy:
●Blood pressure of 160/110 mmHg or more

4. CHRONIC HYPERTENSION
●present at the BOOKING VISIT or
●BEFORE 20 WEEKS gestation, or
●if the woman is already taking antihypertensive
medication when starting maternity care
●It can be primary or secondary in aetiology

5. GESTATIONAL HYPERTENSION
New hypertension presenting after 20 weeks of
pregnancy without significant proteinuria

6. PRE-ECLAMPSIA
Gestational hypertension + one or both
of the following new-onset conditions:–
1. Proteinuria
2. Other maternal organ dysfunction, including features such as:
● renal or liver involvement
● neurological or haematological complications
● or uteroplacental dysfunction

7. ASSESSMENT OF PROTEINURIA
1. Use of AUTOMATED REAGENT-STRIP
reading device for dipstick screening
2. If POSITIVE (1+ or more), use:
a. protein:creatinine ratio
i. 30mg/mmol
b. albumin:creatinine ratio
i. 8mg/mmol
3. 24-Hour urine protein not routinely used
a. 300mg

8. Most likely diagnosis?
● 32-year-old primigravida at 28 weeks of gestational age has a blood
pressure reading of 150/100 mmHg obtained during a routine visit.
● Baseline pressure during the pregnancy was 120/70mmHg
● Patient DENIES any headaches, visual disturbances, nausea, vomiting, or
abdominal pain.
● Repeated BP is 160/100.
● Urine Protein: 1+
● A. Pre-eclampsia
● B. Chronic Hypertension
● C. Eclampsia
● D. Gestational Hypertension

9. TREATMENT OF
CHRONIC
HYPERTENSION

10. HEALTHY
LIFESTYLE
PLACENTAL
GROWTH FACTOR
(PIGF)
ASPIRIN
ANTIHYPERTENSIVE
TREATMENT
TARGET
BP:
135/85

11. MANAGEMENT OF
GESTATIONAL
HYPERTENSION

12. RISK FACTORS
● Nulliparity
● Age at least 40 years old
● LCB more than 10 years
● family history of pre-eclampsia
● multi-fetal pregnancy
● BMI of 35 kg/m2 or more
● gestational age at presentation
● previous history of pre-eclampsia or gestational
hypertension
● pre-existing vascular disease
● pre-existing kidney disease

13. DEGREE OF
HYPERTENSION
HYPERTENSION SEVERE HYPERTENSION
HOSPITAL ADMISSION Do NOT routinely admit ADMIT, but if BP falls below
160/110mmHg then
manage as for Hypertension
ANTI-HPT
PHARMACOLOGICAL
TREATMENT
for BP above 140/90mmHg for all women with severe
Hypertension
TARGET BP ONCE ON
ANTI-HPT
135/85mmHg or less 135/85 mmHg or less
BP MONITORING Once or twice a week
(depending on BP) until reach
target
Every 15-30 minutes until
BP is less than 160/110
mmHg
DIPSTICK
PROTEINURIA
TESTING
Once or twice a week Daily while admitted

14. BLOOD TEST At presentation, and then
weekly (FBC, LFT, RP)
At presentation, and then
weekly (FBC, LFT, RP)
PIGF-based TESTING on 1 occassion (between
20-35 weeks) if there is
suspicion of pre-eclampsia
on 1 occassion (between
20-35 weeks) if there is
suspicion of pre-eclampsia
FETAL ASSESSMENT FHR at every antenatal visit
ultrasound assessment at
diagnosis. if normal, repeat
every 2-4 weeks, if clinically
indicated
repeat CTG if clinically
indicated
FHR at every antenatal visit
ultrasound assessment at
diagnosis. if normal, repeat
every 2 weeks, if severe
hypertension persists
CTG at diagnosis and then
only if clinically indicated

15. MANAGEMENT OF
PRE-ECLAMPSIA

17. It begins from the placenta…

23. VASOSPASM &
ISCHAEMIC
SEQUELAE
Leaky
Capillaries
Hemo-
concentrati
on
Thrombotic
Sequelae

26. INVESTIGATIONS
● FBC
● LFT
● AST
● RP
● URIC ACID

27. CONCERNS
● SBP of 160 mmHg or higher
● Maternal biochemical or haematological investigations
that cause concern, for example, a new and persistent:
－ rise in creatinine (90 micromol/litre or more, 1
mg/100 ml or more) or
－ rise in alanine transaminase (over 70 IU/litre, or
twice upper limit of normal range) or
－ fall in platelet count (under 150,000/microlitre)
● signs of impending eclampsia
● signs of impending pulmonary oedema
● other signs of severe pre-eclampsia
● suspected fetal compromise
● any other clinical signs that cause concern

28. ANTI-HYPERTENSIVE
(PREVENT ACUTE HYPERTENSIVE COMPLICATIONS)
● LABETOLOL(can cause IUGR)
● METHYL-DOPA (safest drug)
● NIFEDIPINE (always giveorally)

29. Antihypertensive Minimum dose Maximum dose
Nifedipine 10mg TDS 20mg TDS
Labetolol 100 mg BD 200mg BD
Methyldopa 250mg TDS 1000mg TDS

30. CONTRAINDICATED
DRUGS!!!
● Angiotensin Receptor Blocker (ARB)
○ Teratogenic
○ Fetal decreased urine production- causing oligohydramnios
● ACE-I
○ Teratogenic
○ Fetal decreased urine production- causing oligohydramnios
● Other Beta Blockers (e.g. Atenolol, Metaprolol)
○ Cause IUGR
● Diuretics
○ UNLESS in Pulmonary Oedema

31. DEGREE OF
HYPERTENSION
HYPERTENSION SEVERE HYPERTENSION
HOSPITAL ADMISSION Admit if any clinical concerns
for the wellbeing of the woman
or baby or if high risk of
adverse events
ADMIT, but if BP falls below
160/110mmHg then
manage as for Hypertension
ANTI-HPT
PHARMACOLOGICAL
TREATMENT
for BP above 140/90mmHg for all women with severe
Hypertension
TARGET BP ONCE ON
ANTI-HPT
135/85mmHg or less 135/85 mmHg or less
BP MONITORING At least every 48 hours, and
more frequently if the woman is
admitted to hospital
Every 15-30 minutes until
BP is less than 160/110
mmHg, then at least 4 times
daily while the woman is an
inpatient, depending on
clinical circumstances
DIPSTICK
PROTEINURIA
TESTING
Only repeat if clinically
indicated, for example, if new
symptoms and signs develop
or if there is uncertainty over
diagnosis
Only repeat if clinically
indicated, for example, if
new symptoms and signs
develop or if there is
uncertainty over diagnosis

32. BLOOD TEST Measure full blood count,
liver function and renal
function twice a week
Measure full blood count,
liver function and renal
function 3 times a week
FETAL ASSESSMENT Offer fetal heart auscultation
at every antenatal
appointment
Carry out ultrasound
assessment of the fetus at
diagnosis and, if normal,
repeat every 2 weeks
Carry out a CTG at
diagnosis and then only if
clinically indicated
Offer fetal heart auscultation
at every antenatal
appointment
Carry out ultrasound
assessment of the fetus at
diagnosis and, if normal,
repeat every 2 weeks
Carry out a CTG at
diagnosis and then only if
clinically indicated

33. THINGS TO CONSIDER FOR
EARLY PLANNED BIRTH
● inability to control maternal blood pressure despite
using 3 or more classes of antihypertensives in
appropriate doses
● maternal pulse oximetry less than 90%
● progressive deterioration in liver function, renal
function, haemolysis, or platelet count
● ongoing neurological features, such as severe
intractable headache, repeated visual scotomata, or
eclampsia
● placental abruption
● reversed end-diastolic flow in the umbilical artery
doppler velocimetry, a nonreassuring
cardiotocograph, or stillbirth.

34. TIMING OF BIRTH
Weeks of
Pregnancy
Timing of Birth
Before 34
weeks
Continue surveillance unless there are indications
for planned early birth. Offer intravenous
magnesium sulfate and a course of antenatal
corticosteroids
From 34 to 36
weeks
Continue surveillance unless there are indications
for planned early birth. When considering the
option of planned early birth, take into account the
woman's and baby's condition, risk factors and
availability of neonatal unit beds. Consider a
course of antenatal corticosteroids
37 weeks
onwards
Initiate birth within 24–48 hours.

35. CONTROL OF BP IN ACUTE
HYPERTENSIVE CRISIS
1. IV LABETOLOL
2. ORAL NIFEDIPINE
3. IV HYDRALAZINE
4. SODIUM NITROPRUSSIDE
5. NITROGLYCERIN INFUSION

36. Consider the need for magnesium sulfate treatment, if 1
or more of the following features of severe pre-eclampsia
is present:
• ongoing or recurring severe headaches
• visual scotomata
• nausea or vomiting
• epigastric pain
• oliguria and severe hypertension
• progressive deterioration in laboratory blood tests (such
as rising creatinine or liver transaminases, or falling
platelet count).

37. Use the Collaborative Eclampsia Trial regimen for
administration of magnesium sulfate :
• A loading dose of 4 g should be given intravenously over
5 to 15 minutes, followed by an infusion of 1 g/hour
maintained for 24 hours. If the woman has had an
eclamptic fit, the infusion should be continued for 24
hours after the last fit.
• Recurrent fits should be treated with a further dose of
2–4 g given intravenously over 5 to 15 minutes
Do not use diazepam, phenytoin or other anticonvulsants
as an alternative to magnesium sulfate in women with
eclampsia.

38. MgSO4 Toxicity Monitoring
● loss of deep tendon reflexes
● warmth and flushing
● somnolence, slurring of speech
● paralysis, respiratory difficulties
● cardiac arrest

41. Postnatal Care for mother who
did NOT take antihypertensive
● In women with pre-eclampsia who did not take
antihypertensive treatment and have given birth,
measure blood pressure:
○ at least 4 times a day while the woman is an
inpatient
○ at least once between day 3 and day 5 after birth
○ on alternate days until normal, if blood pressure
was abnormal on days 3–5
● start antihypertensive treatment if blood pressure is
150/ 100 mmHg or higher
● always ask about severe headache and epigastric pain

42. Postnatal Care for mother who
TAKE antihypertensive
● BP monitoring:
○ at least 4 times a day while the woman is an
inpatient
○ every 1–2 days for up to 2 weeks after transfer to
community care until the woman is off treatment
and has no hypertension
● consider reducing antihypertensive treatment if their
blood pressure falls below 140/ 90 mmHg
● reduce antihypertensive treatment if their blood
pressure falls below 130/80 mmHg.

43. Manage this patient
● 32-year-old primigravida at 34 weeks of gestational age has a blood pressure
reading of 170/110mmHg obtained during antenatal checkup.
● Patient DENIES any headaches, visual disturbances, nausea, vomiting, or
abdominal pain.
● Repeated BP is 160/90.
● Fundal height corresponds to 30 weeks, with FHR of 140/min
● Urine Protein: 2+
1. Diagnosis
2. Investigations
3. Monitoring
4. Evaluation of wellbeing of the baby
5. Steroid for fetal maturity