A 25-year-old primigravida at 28 weeks has blood pressure 142/92 mmHg. At her booking visit at 10 weeks, her blood pressure was 138/90 mmHg. Urine protein is negative. This presentation is best classified as:
- A Gestational hypertension
- B Pre-eclampsia without severe features
- C Chronic hypertension ✓
- D White coat hypertension
Correct answer: C. Chronic hypertension
Explanation
Hypertension present before 20 weeks of gestation (or known pre-existing) that persists beyond 12 weeks postpartum is classified as chronic hypertension. Gestational hypertension is new-onset after 20 weeks without proteinuria or severe features. Pre-eclampsia requires hypertension after 20 weeks with proteinuria or severe features. Here, BP was already elevated at 10 weeks, fulfilling chronic hypertension criteria.
Reference: Williams Obstetrics, 26th ed.
High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP
Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.