Association of early excessive maternal weight gain with hypertensive disease of pregnancy

Abstract

There are many risk factors that precipitate Hypertensive Disease of Pregnancy (HDP). Management is usually done at secondary prevention level. However, aim should be to identify primary maternal modifiable risk factors, gestational weight gain being one of them. The study was done to see association between early and total excessive gestational weight gain and hypertension in pregnancy. Women were enrolled at first visit. Weight, blood pressure measurements and routine examination were done at all visits. 45 developed HDP and were considered as cases. Equal number of normotensive women were taken as controls. Weight gain at 20, 28 weeks and at delivery was noted. Early excessive and total gestational weight gain were significantly associated with HDP. Thus, weight gain in pregnancy should be kept under control. Counseling should be done regarding the benefits of appropriate weight gain during pregnancy and the potential harms of excessive weight gain.