The myth of transient hypertension: Descriptor or disease process?

The objective of this study is to describe the incidence of transient hyper tension and to evaluate if transient hypertension is associated with increa sed maternal or fetal morbidity as compared to other hypertensive disorders of pregnancy and normotensive controls. Data were collected from all deliv eries at the University of Mississippi Medical Center from July 1, 1996 thr ough January 1, 1997. Patients were grouped according to ACOG criteria for pregnancy induced hypertension. Specific maternal and fetal morbidities wer e compared among the groups and controls. There were 1489 deliveries during the study period. Nearly 30% of patients met the criteria for transient hy pertension. There were no significant differences between patients with tra nsient hypertension and controls in regard to maternal and fetal outcomes. Transient hypertension occurs more often than expected, however, it appears to be of limited clinical significance.