Clinical Status of Pregnancy-Induced Hypertension and Pre-Eclampsia among Sudanese Women

Abstract

Objective: The present study has been conducted with the aim of determining the clinical status of gestational hypertensive disorders in Sudan. Methods: An analytical case-control, comparative and descriptive cross-sectional, hospital-based study was conducted at Omdurman Maternity Hospital (OMH). It included 228 cases of gestational hypertensive disorders. Data were collected through interviews, questionnaire, and admission records and analyzed statistically. Results: The clinical status of pregnancy-induced hypertension and pre-eclampsia among Sudanese women has been estimated. Spontaneous pregnancies were 94.6% of the cases. Multigravida were 50.4% of pregnant Sudanese women presenting at OMH, 20.7% of them had a history of gestational hypertensive disorders and 18.1% had a history of miscarriage. Among the patients admitted with gestational hypertensive disorders 75% developed preeclampsia, 91% has shown non-syndromic complications and 52.2% were asymptomatic.   Conclusion: Maternal age between 18-40 years, nulliparous primigravida or multigravida with long latency period and history of miscarriage are the commonest risk factors of hypertension complication during pregnancy, including preeclampsia, in Sudan. Significantly lower serum calcium and/or higher serum magnesium are associated with preeclampsia, syndromic HELLP is a rare association. Patient awareness is critical for early detection and prevention of disease progression.