Abstract:
Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy constitute a global problem. While
they are reported to complicate 5 - 10 % of pregnancies, it is considered
that the incidence is rising, owing to a number of factors including
the increasing occurrence of cardiac and metabolic diseases in the
reproductive age group. It is reported that 42 000 women succumb to
hypertensive disorders of pregnancy annually. The majority of these
deaths occur in low- and middle-income countries, and it is rare to
encounter deaths related to hypertensive disorders of pregnancy in well resourced
countries. High mortality rates largely relate to a lack of early
recognition and/or timely administration of appropriate therapy for preeclampsia
and eclampsia. In South Africa (SA), 18% of maternal deaths
are attributed to hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, and they comprise
the most common direct cause of maternal deaths. The majority of
these deaths have been assessed as preventable.
