Gestational hypertension

Gestational hypertension or pregnancy-induced hypertension (PIH) is the development of new hypertension in a pregnant woman after 20 weeks' gestation without the presence of protein in the urine or other signs of pre-eclampsia. Gestational hypertension is defined as having a blood pressure greater than 140/90 on two occasions at least 6 hours apart. No single diagnostic test currently exists to predict the likelihood of developing gestational hypertension. High blood pressure is the major sign in diagnosing gestational hypertension. Some women with gestational hypertension may present asymptomatic, but a number of symptoms are associated with the condition. Symptoms Edema Sudden weight gain Blurred vision or sensitivity to light Nausea and vomiting Persistent headaches Increased blood pressure Maternal causes Obesity Mothers under 20 or over 40 years old Past history of diabetes mellitus, hypertension (particularly gestational hypertension) and renal disease Pre-existing hypertension Thrombophilias (anti-phospholipid syndrome, protein C/S deficiency, factor V Leiden) Having donated a kidney Pregnancy Multiple gestation (twins or triplets, etc.) Placental abnormalities: Hyperplacentosis: Excessive exposure to chorionic villi Placental ischemia Family history Family history of pre-eclampsia There exist several hypertensive states of pregnancy: Gestational hypertension Gestational hypertension is usually defined as having a blood pressure higher than 140/90 measured on two separate occasions, more than 6 hours apart, without the presence of protein in the urine and diagnosed after 20 weeks of gestation. Pre-eclampsia Pre-eclampsia is gestational hypertension plus proteinuria (>300 mg of protein in a 24-hour urine sample). Severe pre-eclampsia involves a blood pressure greater than 160/110, with additional medical signs and symptoms. HELLP syndrome is a type of pre-eclampsia. It is a combination of three medical conditions: hemolytic anemia, elevated liver enzymes and low platelet count.