COMPARISON OF TREATMENT OUTCOME OF ANTIHYPERTENSIVE DRUGS IN THE MANAGEMENT OF PREGNANCY INDUCED HYPERTENSION

Abstract

This study was aimed to find out the differences in the pregnancy outcome of PIH women treated with the antihypertensive drugs methyldopa and nifedipine. The prospective observational study was conducted in a multi specialty hospital at Coimbatore with 161 PIH diagnosed women. Women were categorised into the no-drug group, methyldopa group, nifedipine group and methyldopa with nifedipine group. All the women were monitored from diagnosis to delivery. The maternal and neonatal data were collected and analysed. The drugs were significantly controlled the blood pressure (BP) from base to end (P<0.001). There was no significant difference in the reduction of BP between the drugs. Cesarean delivery (>90%) and preterm delivery were high across all the groups. No significant difference was seen between these groups. The AGA (Average for gestational age) babies were significantly higher with a no-drug group (83%) and lower with nifedipine group (40%). Two women were reported with HELLP syndrome in methyldopa with nifedipine group. No significant difference was found in terms of pregnancy outcome between these groups except for eclampsia and AGA. Eclampsia was affected more with 14% in methyldopa with nifedipine group. We found similar outcomes; there were no significant changes between methyldopa, nifedipine, and the no-drug treatment. The antihypertensive drugs nifedipine and methyldopa both were significantly reduced the BP. The maternal and neonatal complications were similar between these two drugs. No beneficial effect can be identified one over another.