Maternal deaths due to hypertensive disorders in pregnancy

• Published in: Best practice & research. Clinical obstetrics & gynaecology Vol. 22; no. 3; pp. 559 - 567
• Main Author: Moodley, J
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Netherlands Elsevier Ltd 01.06.2008
• Subjects: Cause of Death; causes of death; Cerebral Hemorrhage - mortality; cerebrovascular accidents; Chronic Disease; Female; Fluid Therapy - adverse effects; Humans; Hypertension, Pregnancy-Induced - mortality; Hypertension, Pregnancy-Induced - prevention & control; hypertensive disorders of pregnancy; Magnesium Sulfate - therapeutic use; Maternal Mortality; Obstetrics and Gynecology; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Complications, Cardiovascular - mortality; Puerperal Disorders - mortality; Risk Factors; Seizures - etiology; Seizures - mortality; causes of death; cerebrovascular accidents; hypertensive disorders of pregnancy; maternal mortality
• ISSN: 1521-6934; 1532-1932
• DOI: 10.1016/j.bpobgyn.2007.11.004

Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP) are one of the most common direct causes of maternal mortality worldwide. Cerebral haemorrhage is the main final cause of hypertensive deaths and probably implies that doctors are reluctant to treat sustained high blood pressure effectively during pregnancy. Maternal deaths from HDP can probably be reduced markedly by: (1) promoting antenatal care and instituting a recall system for defaulters; (2) instituting regional centres and regional obstetricians to provide advice on, or care for, women with severe pre-eclampsia; (3) educating health professionals through continuing professional education and the use of clinical guidelines of management; and (4) informing the general public on complications associated with the pre-eclampsia/eclampsia syndrome.