REVIEW ER 'S CONCLUSIONS It remains unclear whether antihypertensive drug therapy for mild-moderate hypertension during pregnancy is worthwhile
BACKGROUND Mild-moderate hypertension during pregnancy is common .
Antihypertensive drugs are often used in the belief that lowering blood pressure will prevent progression to more severe disease , and thereby improve outcome .
OBJECTIVES To assess the effects of antihypertensive drug treatments for women with mild to moderate hypertension during pregnancy .
Intrauterine exposure to the beta-adrenergic receptor-blocking agent metoprolol and allergy.
Cord blood IgE levels and the development of allergy were studied in 29 children born by mothers who had been treated with the beta-adrenergic receptor blocking agent , metoprolol , during the pregnancy and in 23 children of placebo-treated mothers . In 13 ( 45 % ) of the former and 3 ( 15 % ) of the placebo group elevated cord blood IgE levels , i.e. more than 0.9 kU/l and /or obvious or probable allergy developed ( p = 0.03 ) . The findings support previous experimental observations that beta-blocking agents may enhance IgE antibody formation . It also adds to the number of environmental factors that may increase the risk for atopic disease in children
REVIEW ER 'S CONCLUSIONS It remains unclear whether antihypertensive drug therapy for mild-moderate hypertension during pregnancy is worthwhile
BACKGROUND Mild-moderate hypertension during pregnancy is common .
Antihypertensive drugs are often used in the belief that lowering blood pressure will prevent progression to more severe disease , and thereby improve outcome .
OBJECTIVES To assess the effects of antihypertensive drug treatments for women with mild to moderate hypertension during pregnancy .