Retrospective study in cases of pregnancy-induced hypertension admitted to the ICU at Women Health Teaching Hospital of Assiut University

Objective
The aim of the study was a retrospective analysis of the causes and risk factors of ICU admission, postoperative management, and outcomes of patients with pregnancy-induced hypertensive disorders.
Background
Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, including severe preeclampsia and eclampsia, complicate about 10% of pregnancies worldwide, constituting one of the chief causes of maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality worldwide.
Patients and methods
Our retrospective study included 186 cases of antenatal and postpartum severe preeclampsia and eclampsia patients admitted to the ICU in Assiut Woman Health Hospital in 24 months. All patients showed manifestations of severe preeclampsia or eclampsia. The study obtained an institutional ethical approval.
Results
In this study, the most frequent complication was HELLP (hemolysis, elevated liver enzyme levels, and low platelet levels) syndrome that occurred in 25 (13.44%) women followed by renal impairment, cerebral hemorrhage, and pulmonary that occurred in 11 (5.91%), 10 (5.37%), and nine (4.83%) women, respectively. Unfortunately, permanent blindness affected three (1.61%) women in this study and 12 (6.45%) women encountered death. Improvement occurred in 160 (86%) women, whereas six (3.22%), five (2.28%), and five (2.68%) women were transferred to other departments namely neurological, nephrological, and cardiology wards, respectively.
Conclusion
Reducing maternal morbidity and mortality, pregnancy-induced hypertension patients require early admission and appropriate management in the ICU.