The Relationship between Blood Pressure Control in Pregnancy and Unfavorable Perinatal Outcomes

Hypertensive disorders are among the most prevalent medical complications during pregnancy and are a major cause of maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality worldwide. This study explores the relationship between the degree of blood pressure control during pregnancy and perinatal outcomes. A retrospective cohort study was conducted using medical records of pregnant women diagnosed with hypertension, delivered at a tertiary care hospital from January 2022 to December 2023. The sample comprised 110 participants, categorized into well-controlled, moderately controlled, and poorly controlled BP groups. The primary outcomes measured were preterm birth, low birth weight, IUGR, stillbirth, and neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) admission Of the 110 participants, 38 women (34.5%) had moderately controlled blood pressure (140–159/90–99 mmHg), and 32 women (29.1%) had poorly controlled blood pressure (≥160/100 mmHg). This means that 63.6% of participants had moderate to poor blood pressure control, indicating a higher risk for adverse perinatal outcomes. The study found that poorly controlled blood pressure was significantly associated with higher rates of preterm birth, low birth weight, intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR), and NICU admission. These findings emphasize the importance of effective blood pressure management during pregnancy to reduce complications. These findings underscore the critical importance of effective blood pressure management during pregnancy to improve both maternal and fetal health. Future research should aim to refine blood pressure management guidelines for hypertensive disorders during pregnancy to further optimize perinatal outcomes.