Nutritional factors and rest reduce pregnancy-induced hypertension and pre-eclampsia in positive roll-over test primigravidas

Abstract

Objective: The possibility of reducing pregnancy-induced hypertension and preeclampsia in primigravidas with low doses of nutritional factors and relative rest in the left lateral position was investigated in a randomized controlled, double-blind trial.

Method: Seventy-four normotensive women at 28-29 weeks' gestation, judged to be at risk of PIH or pre-eclampsia because they presented with a mean blood pressure of 80 mmHg or higher and a positive roll-over test, were studied. The treatment protocol was received by 37 women and the other 37 women received standard antenatal control until delivery.

Result: Twenty-nine (78.3%) women in the control group developed PIH and/or pre-eclampsia, as opposed to only 4 (10.8%) cases in the treatment group (P < 0.001). There were no adverse effects of treatment in mothers or in infants.

Conclusion: This protocol reduces PIH and pre-eclampsia in primigravidas judged to be at risk of hypertension. Further studies are required to evaluate prostacyclin and prostaglandin E2 changes.