Diagnosis of white coat hypertension in pregnant women with teletransmitted home blood pressure.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the diagnosis and prognosis of white coat hypertension (WCH) as detected by home blood pressure (HBP) monitoring measured telemetrically in pregnant women with recently discovered hypertension. METHODS: 57 women evaluated using HBP monitoring. RESULTS: The prevalence of WCH was high (76%). Telemetry was necessary as obstetricians were alerted for 8.8% of women. Birth weight was higher in infants born to women with WCH (3571 g vs. 3045 g, p = 0.05). Ninety-eight percent of HBP results were validated. 92% of the women found HBP monitoring to be very easy. CONCLUSION: In this population, WCH is very common and benign. HBP monitoring is feasible and well accepted. However, teletransmission is necessary for safety.