Journal of AdvancedMedical and Dental Sciences Research

Background: Pregnancy is the physiological state. There can be many complications during pregnancy. These include hypertension, hemorrhage, infection, cervical insufficiency, gestational diabetes and preterm labour, etc. This study recorded the pregnancy induced hypertension and other symptoms in pregnant women. Materials & Methods: This study included 2538 pregnant women visited the department during this period. A performa was made and all relevant information regarding name, age were entered. Blood pressure was measured in all women using mercury sphygmomanometer was used throughout the study. Proteinuria was detected by commercially available dipsticks. Value ≥ 1 + was indicative of proteinuria. Results: Pre- eclampsia was diagnosed in 60%, gestational hypertension in 22%, eclampsia in 12% and chronic hypertension in 6% of cases.  We have recorded various symptoms in study patients. Most commonly seen symptoms were swelling on face/legs (102), headache (45), breathlessness (21), giddiness (14), vomiting (12) and convulsions (9). The difference was significant (P-0.02).  Maximum patients with hypertension were seen in age group 18-23 years (126), 24- 28 years (61), 29-34 years (10) and >34 years (6). The difference of distribution on the basis of age group was significant (P-0.05). We have also recorded the education status of patients. 45% (92) were having education upto middle school, 42% (86) upto high school and 13% (25) more than high school. The difference was non significant. 143 patients were housewife, 50 were labourers, 6 were in business and 5 were in service. Conclusion: Author concluded that the prevalence of hypertension among pregnant women was 8%. Women should be educated regarding toxemia of pregnancy to avoid complications.
Key Words: Hemorrhage, Hypertension, Infection, Pregnancy