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 .
A PROSPECTIVE CONTROLLED TRIAL OF METOPROLOL‐HYDRALAZINE TREATMENT IN HYPERTENSION DURING PREGNANCY
Abstract . in an open , controlled trial , treatment with a combination of metoprolol and hydralazine was compared with non‐pharmacological management of mild and moderate hypertension in pregnancy . One hundred and sixty‐one women participated in the study . the drug‐treated group showed significantly better blood pressure control than the group not given antihypertensives .  Induction of labor before term , because of maternal or fetal complications , was somewhat more frequent in the control group . Nine women in the treatment group and 5 in the control group developed albuminuria . Three infants in the drug‐treated group died perinatally , and one in the control group . the outcome for the newborns was similar in both groups concerning birth weight , head circumference and Apgar score and in the frequencies of respiratory distress , bradycardia and hypoglycemia . the better blood pressure control achieved with these drugs makes it possible to treat the patient at home and reduce the risk of emergency delivery , but treatment does not seem to be m and atory for a good outcome of the pregnancy in cases of mild and moderate hypertension during pregnancy
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 .