Hipertensão Gestacional: análise dos riscos maternos e fetais

Abstract

Introduction: Gestational hypertension is a clinical condition that affects a percentage of pregnant women worldwide, representing one of the main causes of morbidity and mortality for both the mother and the fetus. This condition is characterized by increased blood pressure during pregnancy, which can occur from the 20th week of pregnancy and generally disappears after delivery. Objective: To describe the maternal and fetal risks associated with gestational hypertension. Methodology: This is a narrative review of qualitative literature. Data collection was carried out in the LILACS databases through VHL-MS, SciELO, PUBMED/MEDLINE with the Health Sciences Descriptors (DeCS/MeSH): maternal well-being; fetal development; gestational hypertension; in Portuguese; Maternal well-being; fetal development; gestational hypertension. in English. The descriptors were crossed using the Boolean operators AND and OR. The inclusion criteria were: works in full and free versions in Portuguese, English or Spanish, published between the years 2019 and 2023. The exclusion criteria were duplicates.  Results and discussion: Gestational hypertension, defined as blood pressure greater than 140/90 mmHg after the 20th week of pregnancy, is a condition that can progress to serious forms such as pre-eclampsia and eclampsia if not well managed. Associated with risk factors such as obesity, diabetes and advanced age, this condition can lead to serious complications for the mother, such as stroke, kidney failure and placental abruption. For the fetus, risks include restricted intrauterine growth and premature birth, which can result in significant health problems. Effective management involves close monitoring of blood pressure, careful use of medications and strategies to minimize complications, and postpartum monitoring to reduce the risk of future chronic hypertension and other cardiovascular diseases. Final considerations: Early detection and appropriate management are crucial to minimize risks and complications. Continuous blood pressure monitoring, careful use of medications, and early intervention are essential to improve outcomes. Furthermore, education of pregnant women and access to adequate prenatal care are critical to the effective control of gestational hypertension and the long-term health of affected women.