II. Criteria: One of the following must be present (Hypertension, Proteinuria or Other Criteria)
-
Blood Pressure >160/110 on 2 Blood Pressure readings 4 hours apart
- Start Antihypertensives if systolic Blood Pressure >160 or diastolic Blood Pressure >110 for >15 minutes
- Refers to onset of Hypertension in Pregnancy
- Assumes normal Blood Pressure before pregnancy (and before 20 weeks gestation)
-
Proteinuria
- Urine Protein 24 Hour: >5 grams
- Urine Protein (dipstick): 3+ Protein on 2 samples >4 hours apart
- Other criteria: One finding from the list below (end organ injury)
- Urine Output decreased (Oliguria)
- Urine Output less than 500 ml in 24 hours
- Increased Serum Creatinine >1.1 (or more than twice baseline)
- Thrombocytopenia (Platelet Count <100k)
- Right upper quadrant or Epigastric Pain (seen in HELLP Syndrome)
- Pulmonary Edema
- Increased hepatic transaminases (>2 fold over baseline)
- New Headache or Vision change
- Altered Mental Status
- Fetal Growth Restriction (included in prior criteria)
- Urine Output decreased (Oliguria)
- References
III. Symptoms
- Headache
- Visual changes
- Epgastric pain
IV. Signs
- Urine Output <500 ml/24h
-
Proteinuria may be severe (although not required for diagnosis)
- Urine Protein >5g/24 hours or
- Urinalysis 3 to 4+ Proteinuria
V. Labs
- Initial
- Complete Blood Count with Platelets
- Blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN)
- Serum Creatinine
- Liver transaminases (AST, ALT)
- Lactate Dehydrogenase (LDH)
- Urine Protein to Creatinine Ratio (consider Urine Protein 24 Hour collection)
- Repeat lab schedule
- Repeat subset of above labs every 4-6 hours based on local protocols
-
Serum Magnesium
- Therapeutic range: 4 to 7 mg/dl
- Indications for monitoring while on Magnesium Sulfate
- Elevated Serum Creatinine
- Decreased Urine Output
- Absent Deep Tendon Reflexes
- High dose or prolonged Magnesium Sulfate protocol
- Additional lab tests
- See HELLP Syndrome for additional labs if this is suspected
VI. Evaluation: Maternal Assessment
- Schedule
- Initial: Every 15-60 minutes until stable
- Later: Hourly while on Magnesium Sulfate
- Focus areas
- Vital Signs
- Neurologic Exam including Deep Tendon Reflexes
VII. Evaluation: Fetal Assessment
- Non-Stress Test (on admission and repeated daily)
-
Obstetric Ultrasound (on admission and every 3-4 weeks until delivery)
- Estimated fetal weight
- Biophysical Profile
- Amniotic fluid index
- Umbilical artery doppler for systolic/diastolic ratio
VIII. Management: General measures
- Hospitalize
- Supplemental Oxygen as needed
- Strict bedrest
-
Foley Catheter
- Urine Output maintained at >30 ml/hour
- Urine Dipstick for Protein hourly
- Careful fluid management
- Daily weight
- Strict Intake and output
- Careful Intravenous Fluids
- D5LR 75 cc/hour to keep urine out 30-40 cc/hour
- Total fluid volume should not be greater than 125 cc/h (3 Liters per day)
- Lung Exam (assess for Pulmonary Edema)
- Consider additional fluid restriction
IX. Management: Specific PIH
- Related topics
- Stabilization (first 24 hours)
- See General measures above
- Obtain fetal and maternal diagnostics and labs as above for 24 hours
- Start Magnesium Sulfate and continue for 24 hours
- Insititute Eclamptic Seizure Precautions
- See Magnesium Sulfate for dosing and monitoring (e.g. reflexes, apnea)
- Start Antihypertensives if systolic Blood Pressure >160 or diastolic Blood Pressure >110 for >15 minutes
- Administer Corticosteroids if fetus 24-34 weeks (time 12-24 hours before delivery)
- Preparation for anticipated preterm delivery
- Betamethasone 12 mg IM every 24 hours for 2 doses or
- Dexamethasone 6 mg IM every 12 hours for 4 doses
- Delivery versus Observation
- See Preeclampsia Delivery Indications
- Delivery at >34 weeks (earlier if unstable, decompensation)
- Includes emergent delivery indications and delayed delivery indications after 48 hours
- Include cesarean delivery indications
- Observation protocol
- Magnesium Sulfate may be stopped in most cases
- Antihypertensive medications and Corticosteroids as above if indicated
- Daily monitoring of maternal and fetal well being
- See Preeclampsia Delivery Indications
X. Management: Postpartum
- Continue Magnesium Sulfate for the first 24 hours
-
Hypertension
- Worsening with mobilization of third spaced fluids (peaks at 3 to 6 days)
- Titrate home Blood Pressure medications to target <150/100 mmHg
- Most Antihypertensives are safe in Lactation
- See Blood Pressure Management in Pregnancy for continuation doses of Antihypertensives
- Thiazide Diuretics may reduce available Breast Milk
- Follow-up
- Home Blood Pressure Monitoring
- Outpatient recheck within 7 to 10 days
XI. References
- Fontaine (2000) in ALSO, B:1-36
- Marlow (2021) Crit Dec Emerg Med 35(2): 19-23
- Sibai in Gabbe (2002) Obstetrics, p. 945-74
- (2000) Am J Obstet Gynecol 183(1):S1-22 [PubMed]
- Farahi (2024) Am Fam Physician 109(3): 251-60 [PubMed]
- Leeman (2008) Am Fam Physician 78:93-100 [PubMed]
- Leeman (2016) Am Fam Physician 93(2):121-7 [PubMed]
- Zamorski (2001) Clin Fam Pract 3:329-47 [PubMed]