Hypertension during pregnancy threatens mother and child
A recent study in Nigeria highlights the severe risks of pregnancy-induced hypertension, which can lead to life-threatening complications like pre-eclampsia and eclampsia. Obstetricians emphasize the importance of regular blood pressure monitoring and early medical intervention to protect both mother and child.
Why it matters
Hypertension during pregnancy is a leading cause of maternal and fetal mortality, making early detection critical for public health outcomes in developing regions.
--> In Nigeria, elevated blood pressure occurring during pregnancy can cause severe complications for the mother and child if it is not detected and controlled in time. This is reported by Premium Times Nigeria , citing Lewis Aituma, an obstetrician-gynaecologist at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital.
Pregnancy-induced hypertension usually develops after the first half of pregnancy and can progress to more severe hypertensive disorders, including pre-eclampsia. According to a 2024 study covering 71,758 women at 54 medical facilities in Nigeria, 6.4% of participants had hypertensive disorders during pregnancy.
According to Aituma, there is no single established cause of this condition. The risk may be increased by hypertension in a previous pregnancy, a first pregnancy, older maternal age, diabetes, kidney disease, obesity, multiple pregnancy, a family history of hypertension, and a long interval between pregnancies.
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