Last reviewed: 4 Jun 2022
Last updated: 29 Jan 2020
Summary
Definition
History and exam
Key diagnostic factors
- previously normotensive
- BP ≥140/90 mmHg
More key diagnostic factors
Other diagnostic factors
- >20 weeks' gestation
- absence of symptoms that suggest preeclampsia
Other diagnostic factors
Risk factors
- nulligravidity
- black or Hispanic ethnicity
- obesity
- mother small for gestational age
- type 1 diabetes mellitus
- migraine
More risk factors
Diagnostic investigations
1st investigations to order
- urinalysis
- CBC
- LFTs
- electrolytes, BUN, creatinine
- uric acid
More 1st investigations to order
Investigations to consider
- 24-hour BP monitoring
- fetal ultrasound
- proteinuria (spot testing, 24-hour urine collection)
More investigations to consider
Treatment algorithm
ACUTE
<37 weeks' gestation
≥37 weeks' gestation
Contributors
Authors
Aparna Sundaram, DO, MBA, MPH
Board-certified, General Preventive Medicine & Public Health
Preventive Medicine Consultants, PLLC
Peoria
AZ
Disclosures
AS declares that she has no competing interests.
Peer reviewers
Caroline Apovian, MD
Associate Professor of Medicine
Boston University School of Medicine
Boston
MA
Disclosures
CA declares that she has no competing interests.
James Walker, MD, FRCP(Glas), FRCP(Edin), FRCOG
Professor of Obstetrics and Gynaecology
St James's University Hospital
Leeds
UK
Disclosures
JW declares that he has no competing interests.
Differentials
- Preeclampsia
- Eclampsia
- Hypertension, essential
More DifferentialsGuidelines
- Perinatal forms guideline: a guide for completion of the British Columbia maternal and fetal levels of service classification tool (PSBC 1589)
- Hypertension in pregnancy: diagnosis and management
More GuidelinesPatient leaflets
Diabetes type 2: should I take insulin?
Diabetes type 2: what treatments work?
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