Pattern and Outcomes of Pregnancies Complicated by Hypertensive Disorders in Pregnancy: A Review of 504 Women Managed at Federal Teaching Hospital Gombe, Nigeria

Background: Hypertensive disorders in pregnancy (HDP) represent a group of conditions associated with elevated blood pressure during pregnancy. It is an important cause of perinatal and maternal morbidity and mortality, particularly in developing countries.

Objectives: The objectives of this study are to assess the pattern of HDP among patients managed in Federal Teaching Hospital Gombe (FTHG) and to describe maternal and perinatal outcomes and identify factors associated with the pregnancy outcomes.

Materials and Methods: This was a retrospective study of 504 consecutive women with HDP seen at FTHG from January 2022 to August 2022. Data obtained from patients’ case note on the e-folder entered into google form and then analyzed.

Results: The incidence of hypertensive disorders was 31.0% of all deliveries. Most women were booked outside FTH Gombe for antenatal care (59.3%). Majority of deliveries (69.2%) occurred between 37-42 weeks of gestation, and the mode of delivery was mostly caesarean section (49.8%) followed by spontaneous vaginal delivery (48.8%). The most common complication was abruptio placenta, occurring in 37.8% of the cases followed by Eclampsia which occurred in 30.4% of the cases. Women who were unbooked had a higher rate of fetal death (44.40%) compared to those booked elsewhere (20.40%) and at the hospital (3.0%). CHTN + SSPE and Eclampsia having higher rates of mortality (32.1% - 21.8%) compared to CHTN and PIH (4.2% - 11.5%). Preeclampsia was the most common subtype of HDP.

Conclusion: Hypertensive disorders in pregnancy are common and associated with high maternal and perinatal mortality and morbidities in our centre. Booking status of women is a significant risk factor.