Introduction:

Gestational hypertensive syndromes are among the most important complications during pregnancy and puerperium. It is characterized by blood pressure ≥ 140/90 mmHg and is classified as gestational hypertension, preeclampsia, chronic hypertension, eclampsia, and preeclampsia overlapping with chronic hypertension. The objective of this work was to estimate the prevalence of gestational hypertensive syndromes and describe maternal and fetal risk factors.

Materials and Methods:

This was a retrospective, cross-sectional study with a sample of 459 pregnant women who gave birth at hospital Tacchini in the municipality of Bento Gonçalves, Brazil. The symmetric quantitative variables were described by mean and standard deviation; while the asymmetric quantitative variables by median and interquartile range. Prevalence ratio was used as effect measurement.

Results:

The prevalence of gestational hypertension syndromes was 11.1% in the sample studied: gestational hypertension (39.2%), preeclampsia (23.5%), chronic hypertension (21.6%), and secondary hypertension (3.9%). Preterm birth was the recurrent complication (44.4%).

Discussion:

The prevalence of gestational hypertensive syndromes is similar to that found in the literature. Diabetes mellitus, overweight, history of gestational hypertensive syndrome in previous pregnancies, and prematurity are considered risk factors associated to gestational hypertensive syndromes.

Conclusions:

The importance of quality prenatal care was verified, given that the woman's healthmediates the complications and maternal and fetal risks, like gestational hypertensive syndromes.

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