A woman is diagnosed with hypertension for the first time at 26 weeks of gestation with BP of 144/92 mmHg on two occasions 6 hours apart. She has no proteinuria and no organ dysfunction. What is the correct diagnosis?
- A Chronic hypertension
- B Pre-eclampsia without severe features
- C Gestational hypertension ✓
- D White coat hypertension
Correct answer: C. Gestational hypertension
Explanation
Gestational hypertension is defined as new onset hypertension after 20 weeks of gestation without proteinuria or other features of pre-eclampsia. Chronic hypertension predates pregnancy or appears before 20 weeks. White coat hypertension refers to elevated office readings with normal home readings, which cannot be assumed here. About half of women labelled gestational hypertension before 34 weeks progress to pre-eclampsia.
Reference: Williams Obstetrics, 26th ed.
High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP
Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.