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Antihypertensive therapy reduces pregnancy complications

Antihypertensive therapy in women in their third trimester of pregnancy (at < 34 weeks' gestation) with mild to moderate hypertension, was associated with fewer maternal and fetal complications than placebo. In a double-blind study, 25 women in their first pregnancy were randomised to receive titrated clonidine or hydralazine; 27 women received placebo. All women were hospitalised until delivery. BP was lower in antihypertensive recipients than in placebo recipients. Four neonates of placebo recipients required intensive care compared with no neonates of treated women. Phippard AF. Fischer WE. Horvath JS. Child AG. Korda AR. et al. Early blood pressure control improved pregnancy outcome in primigravid women with mild hypenension. Medical Journal of Australia 154: 378·382. 18 Mar 1991 6009

_ 30 M", 1991 INPH.4RMAIIJ ISSN 0156-2703/91/0330-0012/0101.00/0 e Ad;, 1I.tertUlt;olUJl Ltd