PERINATAL OUTCOME IN BABIES IN RELATION TO SEVERITY OF MATERNAL HYPERTENSION

Abstract

Background and objectives: Hypertensive disorder of pregnancy is a major cause of   maternal and neonatal mortality and morbidity worldwide. This study prospectively examined the immediate neonatal outcome of women with hypertensive disorder of pregnancy .Objectives were to study the effects of maternal hypertension on   APGAR score at birth and the need for neonatal resuscitation  as well as  to study neonatal morbidity profile and mortality pattern.

Methods: Observational study was conducted on 125 babies born to mothers with hypertension in the neonatal intensive care unit of jubilee mission medical college. To study the effects of maternal hypertension and perinatal outcome, frequency and percentages were applied. Following parameters like prematurity, IUGR, low birth weight, hypoglycemia, hypocalcemia, hyperbilirubinemia will be studied .Chi square test will be applied for categorical variables and independent two sample t test will be applied for numerical variables.

Results: Study population had male predominance.60% underwent LSCS.SGA babies maximum with eclampsia(45.5%),IUGR babies maximum with pre-eclampsia(9.4%).Prematurity seen in all babies born to eclamptic and 40.6% born to pre-eclamptic mothers(p-0.001).1 and 5minute APGAR were<7 in 15.9%,15.6%,18.2% and 12.2%,9.4%,9.1% of babies born to mothers with PIH, pre-eclampsia and eclampsia respectively. Other variables not statistically significant. Death was maximum in babies born to pre-eclamptic mothers (9.4 %).

Conclusions: Maternal hypertension was associated with higher risk of adverse perinatal outcomes; necessitating need to strengthen prevention, early diagnosis and management of pregnancy-induced hypertension.

Keywords: APGAR; prematurity; low birth weight; hypoglycemia; hyperbilirubinemia; hypocalcemia; respiratory distress