Hypertension and its relation to renal function 10 years after pregnancy complicated by pre-eclampsia and pregnancy induced hypertension

OBJECTIVE: To assess the development of hypertension and its relation to renal function 10 years after pregnancy complicated by pre-eclampsia and pregnancy induced hypertension.

METHODS: Women with pre-eclampsia (n=47), pregnancy induced hypertension (n=54) or normotensive (n=46) during 1988 were reviewed at King Hussein Medical Center, Amman, Jordan, for the development of hypertension and renal disorder. Their renal function was reviewed by measuring blood levels of urea, uric acid, creatinine, calcium and albumin. Urine was examined for microalbuminuria.

RESULTS: Women with pre-eclampsia and pregnancy induced hypertension had a higher risk of developing hypertension 10 years later compared to the control group, (23% for pre-eclampsia, and 39% for pregnancy induced hypertension vs. 3% for control). Albumin corrected calcium levels were significantly higher in patients with history of pre-eclampsia (2.41 mmol/l) and pregnancy induced hypertension (2.42 mmol/l) vs. control (2.33 mmol/l) as well as a significant difference in microalbuminuria levels (23% in pre-eclampsia, and 16% in pregnancy induced hypertension vs. 3% in control). Serum urea, creatinine and uric acid levels were not significantly affected (4.4 mmol/l in pre-eclampsia, 4.7 mmol/l in pregnancy induced hypertension and 4.6 mmol/l in control for urea, 76.0 mmol/l in pre-eclampsia, 74.0 mmol/l in pregnancy induced hypertension and 77.0 mmol/l in control for creatinine and 252.0 mmol/l in pre-eclampsia, 250.0 in pregnancy induced hypertension and 248 mmol/l in control for uric acid).

CONCLUSION: The risk of development of chronic hypertension 10 years after pregnancy complicated by pre-eclampsia and pregnancy induced hypertension is increased and this is closely related to residual renal disorder.