Co-Relation of Ocular Fundus Changes and Pregnancy Induced Hypertension and Its Foetal Outcomes

Abstract

Background: Pregnancy-Induced Hypertension (PIH) is a stigmatizing condition in obstetrics and a significant cause of maternal and neonatal death. It is a kind of pregnancy-related hypertension that develops after 20th week of pregnancy with no presence of other reasons of high blood pressure. Objectives: To study the relation between grades of ocular fundus changes& degree of features severity of pregnancy induced hypertension and its maternal and foetal outcomes. Subjects and Methods: This is a prospective observational follow up study, the research lasted about 16 months and included 121 pregnant women diagnosed with PIH. Ocular examinations were performed using a direct ophthalmoscope, a slit lamp and grades of retinopathy were recorded and linked to the severity of PIH and its consequences. The data were analyzed statistically. Results: Results of the study revealed that most of the patients 62% had no abnormal fundus changes while 29.8% of the patients were grade I retinopathy and 7.4% of the patients were grade II retinopathy & There was significant difference between grades of retinopathy and degree of features of severity of PIH & some of its important maternal & foetal outcomes. Conclusion: Grades of ocular fundus alterations are associated with the severity of PIH's characteristics and are predictive of maternal and fetal comorbidity.