Pregnancy outcome and feto-placental blood flow in hypotensive pregnant women

ABSTRACT

To examine the effect of maternal hypotension on the feto-placental blood 110w, placental morphology and pregnancy outcome. Observational [prospective]study. Bab El Shaareia and El Hussein University Hospitals, Cairo. The study population consisted of 267 singleton pregnant women between the 26th to 38th week. They were divided into a study group consisted of 117 hypotensive women with BP?90/60mmHg and a control group of 150 normotensive women with BP between 140/90mmHg. For both groups foetal biophysical profile and Doppler study of the umbilical and middle cerebral arteries were performed every 2-4 weeks. We examined the gestational age at delivery, birth weight, mode of delivery, Apgar score, possible fetomaternal complications and placental gross and microscopical features. In the hypotensive group the mean maternal weight gain was less, the umbilical A/B and RI were higher, middle cerebral artery PI was lower, the biophysical profile was lower, gestational age at delivery, birth weight was lower, Apgar score at 1 min. Was lower, abnormal perinatal outcome were higher, while placental calcification was significantly increased, all when compared to the control group, on the other hand the mean maternal age, mode of delivery, Apgar score at 5min. and placental weight show no significant difference when compared to the control group. Hypotension during pregnancy is a risky condition which we have to care for and hypotensive pregnant women should be monitored all through pregnancy