ASSESSMENT OF PREVALENCE OF PREECLAMPSIA IN PATIENTS ATTENDING OBSTETRICAL CLINICS

Pre-eclampsia is diagnosed when a pregnant woman develops i.e. blood pressure ≥140 mmHg systolic or ≥90 mmHg diastolic on two separate readings taken at least four to six hours apart after 20 weeks' gestation in an individual with previously normal blood pressure and proteinuria ≥ 0.3 grams (300 mg) or more of protein in a 24-hour urine sample. A total of 230 females were included in this study. The mean age of the patients was 30.23±2.45 years. The mean systolic blood pressure of all the patients was 129.45±3.45mmHg and the mean diastolic blood pressure was 85.23±2.89mmHg on two readings. Out of 230, only 68 (29.65%) patients had ≥140 mmHg systolic or ≥90 mmHg diastolic blood pressure on two separate readings. These patients were subjected to urine dipstick for proteinuria. The final diagnosis of preeclampsia was confirmed in 45 (19.56%) patients.