It is a form of hypertensive disorders in pregnancy characterized by elevated blood pressure commonly after 20 weeks of gestation without protein in urine.

Types

Mild/Moderate PIH

Blood pressure of 140/90 to 159/109 mmHg systolic and/or 90–109 mmHg diastolic.

Severe PIH

Blood Pressure (BP) of 160/110 mmHg or higher.

Investigations

Urine for protein

Obstetric USS

Treatment

For mild/moderate PIH

methyldopa (PO) 250–500mg 8 hourly

OR nifedipine (PO) 20 mg 12 hourly

OR labetalol (PO) 100 mg 12 hourly a day

For Severe PIH

Admit the patient to hospital then give

methyldopa (PO) 500mg 8 hourly

AND hydralazine 10 mg (slow IV) stat (over 4-5 minutes); recheck the BP after 20 minutes if DBP is more/equal to 110 mmHg give another dose of hydralazine (IV slowly) 5–10mg.

AND nifedipine (PO) 20 mg 12 hourly

OR labetalol (PO)100 mg 12 hourly

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