Correlation Between Divided Doses of Chronic Antihypertensive Drugs and Pregnancy Outcomes

Hypertension, as a common problem during pregnancy, is a major cause of maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality. Anti-hypertensive drugs are used to prolong the pregnancy or modify perinatal outcomes in pregnant women with hypertensive disorders. Severe monitoring of blood pressure is subsequently essential in these mothers. The aim of this study was to evaluate the correlation between divided doses of chronic hypertensive drugs and the end of pregnancy in mothers with gestational hypertension.

In this prospective research, 99 pregnant women with chronic hypertension, who were treated with anti-hypertensive medicines, were studied during pregnancy. During routine follow-up of these mothers, the number of the drug and the divided doses were recorded. The incidence of maternal and fetal outcomes were evaluated according to the number of less or more than 5 divided doses.

Maternal and fetal-baby complications were observed in 5.50 and 5.53% cases, respectively. The incidence of maternal and fetal complications were significantly enhanced by increasing the number of up-taken anti-hypertensive drugs. The maternal and fetal-baby complications were higher in mothers who received more than five divided doses compared to those who received less than five doses.

Based on our results, chronic hypertension was associated with maternal and fetal-baby complications in half of the cases. It is clarified that precise blood pressure monitoring and regularly taking of anti-hypertensive medicine may decrease the hypertension side effects. The awareness about this field in the pre-pregnancy consulting is considered as the patients’ rights and should be respected