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Resolution Of Hypertension Following Delivery In Nigeria Eclamptics
Abstract
Aim: To assess the general trend which might highlight reasons for poor blood pressure control in post postpartum eclamptics..
Method: A retrospective study of 77 eclamptics managed at the University of Nigerian
Teaching Hospital, Enugu. Blood pressure was measured on admission, immediate pre-delivery, immediate postpartum, 1-6 hours, 6-24 hours, daily for 10 days and one reading after 10 days. The blood pressure readings were analysed.
Results: Postpartum blood pressure trends show 2 nadirs and 2 peaks. The second peak occurred at 6 days postpartum. Corresponding to the 2 peak periods, approximately 32% of the eclamptics developed blood pressures that were higher than their pressures on admission. The mean time for the blood pressure to normalise at 140/90 mm Hg was 6 days. In approximately one-third of the study subjects, the blood pressure either rose, or did not fall, between admission and the 8th day post-partum. There was a statistically significant negative correlation between the regression coefficients and the blood pressure on admission, blood loss at delivery and a significant positive correlation between the regressions and the total number of fits.
Conclusion: The results suggest a possible explanation for late postpartum seizures in hypertensive patients as well as a place for the use of diuretics in the control of resistant postpartum hypertension in eclamptics.
Key Words: Resolution, Hypertension, Eclampsia, Postpartum, Nigeria.
[Jnl of College of Medicine Vol.7(1) 2002: 5-8]
Method: A retrospective study of 77 eclamptics managed at the University of Nigerian
Teaching Hospital, Enugu. Blood pressure was measured on admission, immediate pre-delivery, immediate postpartum, 1-6 hours, 6-24 hours, daily for 10 days and one reading after 10 days. The blood pressure readings were analysed.
Results: Postpartum blood pressure trends show 2 nadirs and 2 peaks. The second peak occurred at 6 days postpartum. Corresponding to the 2 peak periods, approximately 32% of the eclamptics developed blood pressures that were higher than their pressures on admission. The mean time for the blood pressure to normalise at 140/90 mm Hg was 6 days. In approximately one-third of the study subjects, the blood pressure either rose, or did not fall, between admission and the 8th day post-partum. There was a statistically significant negative correlation between the regression coefficients and the blood pressure on admission, blood loss at delivery and a significant positive correlation between the regressions and the total number of fits.
Conclusion: The results suggest a possible explanation for late postpartum seizures in hypertensive patients as well as a place for the use of diuretics in the control of resistant postpartum hypertension in eclamptics.
Key Words: Resolution, Hypertension, Eclampsia, Postpartum, Nigeria.
[Jnl of College of Medicine Vol.7(1) 2002: 5-8]
