Hypertensive disease of pregnancy | |
---|---|
Other names | Maternal hypertensive disorder |
Specialty | Obstetrics |
Frequency | 20.7 million (2015)[1] |
Deaths | 46,900 (2015)[2] |
Hypertensive disease of pregnancy, also known as maternal hypertensive disorder, is a group of high blood pressure disorders that include preeclampsia, preeclampsia superimposed on chronic hypertension, gestational hypertension, and chronic hypertension.[3]
Maternal hypertensive disorders occurred in about 20.7 million women in 2013.[1] About 10% of pregnancies globally are complicated by hypertensive diseases.[4] In the United States, hypertensive disease of pregnancy affects about 8% to 13% of pregnancies.[3] Rates have increased in the developing world.[3] They resulted in 29,000 deaths in 2013 down from 37,000 deaths in 1990.[5] They are one of the three major causes of death in pregnancy (16%) along with post partum bleeding (13%) and puerperal infections (2%).[6]
Hypertensive disorders during pregnancy, such as gestational hypertension, preeclampsia, and eclampsia, are a major contributor to maternal and fetal illness and death on a worldwide scale. Around 5-10% of pregnancies are affected by these conditions, with preeclampsia being responsible for up to 14% of maternal deaths globally. The effects of HDP are significant but there is still limited understanding of its’ root causes. Studies show an interconnection of genetic, immunological, and environmental elements. Accurately pinpointing particular risk factors has stifled researchers because of the varied nature of Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy. All types of HDP can be due to a various number of factors as mentioned above and can be brought upon in irregular manners.