ajogmfm.org
Nonsevere hypertensive disorders of pregnancy and oral antihypertensive medications: an argument against use
Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, including gestational hypertension and preeclampsia, affect approximately 13% of all pregnancies and are a major cause of maternal and neonatal morbidity and mortality worldwide. Although the treatment of preeclampsia with severe features has been well established on the basis of randomized controlled data, international society guidelines vary on the treatment of gestational hypertension and preeclampsia without severe features. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommends against the use of antihypertensive agents for nonsevere hypertension (blood pressure of <160/110 mm Hg) in both gestational hypertension and preeclampsia without severe features given a lack of level 1 evidence in support of treatment and the theoretical risk of masking of disease progression or causing adverse fetal effects, such as growth restriction.
