Hypertension during pregnancy threatens mother and child — Premium Times Nigeria

In Nigeria, elevated blood pressure occurring during pregnancy can cause severe complications for the mother and child if it is not detected and controlled in time. This is reported by Premium Times Nigeria, citing Lewis Aituma, an obstetrician-gynaecologist at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital.

Pregnancy-induced hypertension usually develops after the first half of pregnancy and can progress to more severe hypertensive disorders, including pre-eclampsia. According to a 2024 study covering 71,758 women at 54 medical facilities in Nigeria, 6.4% of participants had hypertensive disorders during pregnancy.

Risk factors and symptoms

According to Aituma, there is no single established cause of this condition. The risk may be increased by hypertension in a previous pregnancy, a first pregnancy, older maternal age, diabetes, kidney disease, obesity, multiple pregnancy, a family history of hypertension, and a long interval between pregnancies.

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The study also linked a higher likelihood of such disorders to age over 35, no previous births, multiple previous births, a history of caesarean section or miscarriage. Pregnant women are advised to measure their blood pressure regularly and seek medical help immediately in case of persistent headache, worsening vision, chest pain, a sensation of abnormal heartbeat, or rapid swelling of the legs. At the same time, some women may have no symptoms.

Possible complications

Uncontrolled hypertension can progress to pre-eclampsia and cause eclampsia, seizures, stroke, or kidney failure in the mother. For the fetus, it is associated with premature birth, intrauterine growth restriction, premature placental abruption, and death.

In the cited Nigerian study, 11.9% of pregnancies complicated by hypertensive disorders ended in stillbirth, while 3.7% of women with such disorders died. Treatment depends on the severity of the condition and the gestational age: doctors control blood pressure, prevent seizures and, if necessary, decide on delivery. Among risk-reduction measures, Aituma named maintaining a healthy body weight, physical activity, lifestyle changes, and regular antenatal check-ups.