Introduction

Pregnancy induced hypertension is defined as the hypertension that develop as a multisystem disorder of unknown etiology characterized by development of hypertension to the extent of 140/90 mm Hg or more with proteinuria after the 20th weeks in previously normotensive and non-proteinuric patients.¹ Risk of a woman in low income country dying of preeclampsia/eclampsia is 300 times that of a woman in high income country.^2,3 Preeclampsia/eclampsia is a frequently encountered medical complication affecting 3-5% of pregnancies, but in India, overall incidence is 5-15%.^1,4 PIH more often affects nulliparous women.⁵ Normally intravascular volume increases during pregnancy but in preeclampsia intravascular volume minimal or completely absent. The reduced volume is predominantly of plasma and as a result, hemoconcentration.⁶ Preeclampsia represents a state of hemoconcentratioin and increased haematocrit levels. By detecting the hemoconcentration one may predict the severity of disease & fall in repeat haematocrit values may denote clinical improvement.⁷

Severity of PIH is associated with increased maternal and neonatal morbidity and mortality. Hence it is important to diagnose and treat. Early decision making of termination of pregnancy is very important in severe PIH. Termination of pregnancy is the only treatment of severe PIH. Decision making about termination can be prompt and prognosis can be better.

Present study is done to know the relationship between haemoglobin concentration and severity of PIH, also to know the average hemoglobin concentration in various period of gestation & correlate the hemoglobin concentration with preeclampsia.

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Dr Renuka Ramanwal

Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, People’s College of Medical Sciences and Research Centre,

Bhopal, MP, India