Blood Pressure Changes in Adolescents with Preeclampsia: A Multicentre, Case-Control Study in Latin American Hospitals.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the minimum blood pressure increases that would confirm or exclude, with the greatest predictive values, hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP) in pregnant adolescents after 24 weeks gestation. METHODS: We conducted a case-control study of pregnant women aged ≤19 years with and without HDP. Using systolic and diastolic blood pressure increases, a predictive analysis was performed, and the area under the curve was calculated. RESULTS: The cases and controls had systolic blood pressure increases of 45.3 ± 17.5 mm Hg and 6.4 ± 7.9 mm Hg, respectively (P = 0.001) and diastolic blood pressure increases of 30.8 ± 11.7 mm Hg and 3.5 ± 5.7 mm Hg, respectively (P = 0.001). Systolic and diastolic increases of ≥20 mm Hg showed the greatest sensitivity and specificity. A combined analysis showed that an increase of ≥20 mm Hg had a greater positive likelihood ratio of 35.4 (95% CI 22.4-55.9) and negative likelihood ratio of 0.10 (95% CI 0.07-0.13), with an area under the curve of 0.98 (95% CI 0.96-0.99). CONCLUSIONS: Systolic and diastolic blood pressure increases of ≥20 mm Hg must be considered in the diagnostic criteria for preeclampsia and gestational hypertension among pregnant adolescents past 24 weeks gestation.

Magnesium sulfate for 6 vs 24 hours post delivery in patients who received magnesium sulfate for less than 8 hours before birth: a randomized clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: To compare the benefits of magnesium sulfate for 24 h (h) postpartum versus 6 h postpartum in patients who received magnesium sulfate (Mg) for less than 8 h before birth. METHODS: A randomized, multicenter, open study was conducted between November 2013 and October 2016 in three teaching maternity hospitals in Panama. Pregnant women diagnosed with severe pre-eclampsia or pre-eclampsia with severe features at more than 20 weeks gestation were invited to participate. They were randomized to the following groups in a 1:1 ratio: A- continue Mg for 24 h after birth (control group); and B- receive Mg for 6 h after birth (experimental group). The primary endpoint and variable was seizure (eclampsia) in the first 72 h postpartum. RESULTS: During the study period, 284 patients agreed to participate in the study; 143 were randomized to receive Mg for 24 h postpartum and 141 to receive Mg for 6 h postpartum. There were no significant differences in the baseline characteristics of the two groups studied. There was no eclampsia in the entire population; therefore, there was no significant difference in the primary variable. Two secondary variables showed a significant difference: time to onset of ambulation, which was 14 h shorter (p = 0.0001) in the group that received 6 h of postpartum Mg, and time to initiation of breastfeeding, which was 11 h earlier (p = 0.0001) in the group that received 6 h of postpartum Mg. There were not significant differences between the groups with respect to total complications or any particular complication. There were no cases of maternal death. CONCLUSION: Maintaining Mg for 6 h postpartum is equally effective in preventing eclampsia as receiving Mg for 24 h postpartum in patients with severe pre-eclampsia who receive less than 8 h of Mg treatment before birth. The onset of maternal ambulation and initiation of breastfeeding are faster in patients who only receive Mg for 6 h postpartum. TRIAL REGISTRATION: The study was registered at clinical-trials.gov, number NCT02317146 . Date of registration: December 11, 2014. This study was registered at clinical trials after the beginning of recruitment of patients.

[HELLP syndrome]. / Síndrome HELLP.

Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy are one of the most common complications of pregnancy, but one of the most serious expressions of this pathology is HELLP syndrome. The HELLP syndrome is characterized by the presence of hypertension disorder more a triad: microangiopathic hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes and low platelet count. Patient with HELLP syndrome is associated with increased maternal risk complications such as: cerebral hemorrhage, retinal detachment, hematoma/ hepatic rupture, acute renal failure, disseminated intravascular coagulation, placental abruption and therefore a maternal death. For all these reasons it is recommended to search for findings of HELLP syndrome in patients with hypertensive disorder of pregnancy. The main clinical confusion of HELLP syndrome is acute fatty liver of pregnancy, however there are parameters that help correct identification. The presence of HELLP syndrome involves a rapid termination of pregnancy and the administration of corticosteroids does not improve maternal morbidity and mortality but may help raise the platelet count, thus decreasing the need for transfusion and shorten hospital stay. Much of the decline in maternal morbidity and mortality associated with hypertensive disorders of pregnancy is in proper diagnosis and effective management of HELLP syndrome.

COVID-19 epidemic in Panama.

Objective: It is necessary to establish the evolution that the pandemic has had in Panama by weeks and months and to clearly establish the existence of surges or peaks, according to cases and deaths and the relationship with age groups. Methodology: We conducted a retrospective cohort study of all confirmed COVID-19 cases reported by the Ministry of Health of Panama during the first 3 years of the epidemic (March 9, 2020, March 11, 2023). All cases were obtained from information provided by the Ministry of Health. We obtained daily information of the population at the national level reported as new cases, deaths, admission to hospitals, admission to intensive care units and by age groups. The information is classified by epidemiological week and by month from the diagnosis of the first case until March 2023. Results: During the three years of the study, 1,032,316 cases of COVID-19 were registered in the Republic of Panama, and the number of deaths reported was 8,621, for a fatality rate of 0.83 % throughout that period. The number of deaths decreased over the 3 years of the pandemic; however, similar to the cases, there were periods of surges (peaks) per year in June/July and in December/January. The lethality progressively increased according to the age of the affected patients. During the first year, the lethality in those under 20 years of age was 0.05 %, and in those over 80 years old, it was 17.54 %. This pattern was maintained during the second year; however, there was a large decrease in all age groups. Conclusion: the highest lethality rate in Panama occurred in the first year of the pandemic, with a great decrease in the third year; the impact of lethality is proportional to the age of the individual, with a high possibility of death in those over 80 years of age. During each pandemic year, there are two peaks (surges of new cases and deaths) per year, which are important times to take into account to generate strategies aimed at reducing the impact.

Expectant management of severe preeclampsia remote from term: the MEXPRE Latin Study, a randomized, multicenter clinical trial.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of the study was to determine whether expectant management of severe preeclampsia prior to 34 weeks of gestation results in improved neonatal outcome in countries with limited resources. STUDY DESIGN: This was a randomized clinical trial performed in 8 tertiary hospitals in Latin America. Criteria of randomization included gestational age between 28 and 33 weeks' gestation and the presence of severe hypertensive disorders. Patients were randomized to steroids with prompt delivery (PD group) after 48 hours vs steroids and expectant management (EXM group). The primary outcome was perinatal mortality. RESULTS: A total of 267 patients were randomized, 133 to the PD group and 134 to the EXM group. Pregnancy prolongation was 2.2 days for the PD group vs 10.3 days for the EXM group (P = .0001). The rate of perinatal mortality (9.4% vs 8.7%; P = .81; relative risk [RR], 0.91; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.34-1.93) was not improved with expectant management, and neither was the composite of neonatal morbidities (56.4% vs 55.6%; P = .89; RR, 01.01; 95% CI, 0.81-1.26). There was no significant difference in maternal morbidity in the EXM group compared with the PD group (25.2% vs 20.3%; P = .34; RR, 1.24; 95% CI, 0.79-1.94). However, small gestational age (21.7% vs 9.4%; P = .005; RR, 2.27; 95% CI, 1.21-4.14) and abruption were more common with expectant management (RR, 5.07; 95% CI, 1.13-22.7; P = .01). There were no maternal deaths. CONCLUSION: This study does not demonstrate neonatal benefit with expectant management of severe preeclampsia from 28 to 34 weeks. Additionally, a conservative approach may increase the risk of abruption and small for gestational age.

Preeclampsia: Narrative review for clinical use.

Aim: Preeclampsia is a very complex multisystem disorder characterized by mild to severe hypertension. Methods: PubMed and the Cochrane Library were searched from January 1, 2002 to March 31, 2022, with the search terms "pre-eclampsia" and "hypertensive disorders in pregnancy". We also look for guidelines from international societies and clinical specialty colleges and we focused on publications made after 2015. Results: The primary issue associated with this physiopathology is a reduction in utero-placental perfusion and ischemia. Preeclampsia has a multifactorial genesis, its focus in prevention consists of the identification of high and moderate-risk clinical factors. The clinical manifestations of preeclampsia vary from asymptomatic to fatal complications for both the fetus and the mother. In severe cases, the mother may present renal, neurological, hepatic, or vascular disease. The main prevention strategy is the use of aspirin at low doses, started from the beginning to the end of the second trimester and maintained until the end of pregnancy. Conclusion: Preeclampsia is a multisystem disorder; we do not know how to predict it accurately. Acetylsalicylic acid at low doses to prevent a low percentage, especially in patients with far from term preeclampsia. There is evidence that exercising for at least 140 min per week reduces gestational hypertension and preeclampsia. Currently, the safest approach is the termination of pregnancy. It is necessary to improve the prediction and prevention of preeclampsia, in addition, better research is needed in the long-term postpartum follow-up.

Conservative management of early-onset severe preeclampsia: comparison between randomized and observational studies a systematic review.

OBJECTIVE: To compare maternal and perinatal outcomes between randomized trials and observational studies in which conservative management was performed for more than 48 h in patients with early-onset severe preeclampsia. METHODOLOGY: We searched PubMed, LILACS, Cochrane and Google Scholar. The studies were divided in two groups: randomized and observational studies, from 1990 to 2018 that included patients with severe preeclampsia before 34 weeks of gestation with pregnancy prolongation ≥48 h but that did not include fetal growth restriction or HELLP syndrome at the beginning. The main variables recorded were maternal and perinatal complications. MAIN RESULTS: Forty-four studies met the inclusion criteria, and 5 of these were randomized. The average pregnancy prolongation was 9 days, with no difference between groups. Maternal complications were significantly more common in observational studies, RR = 0.71, 95% CI (0.54-0.93), p = .009. Perinatal complications were also significantly more common in observational studies (RR = 0.89, 95% CI (0.80-0.98), p = .01) at the expense of stillbirth and neonatal deaths. The percentages of cesarean sections were significantly higher in randomized studies, RR = 1.54, 95% CI (1.46-1.64). There were 2 maternal deaths, both in observational studies. CONCLUSION: Observational studies in which conservative management of early-onset preeclampsia is performed and do not include patients with fetal growth restriction or patients with HELLP syndrome and where at least 2 days of pregnancy prolongation is achieved are associated with significantly more maternal and perinatal complications.

Perinatal transmission with SARS-CoV-2 and route of pregnancy termination: a narrative review.

OBJECTIVE: Analyze newborns diagnosed with SARS-CoV-2 performed with RT-PCR at birth or during the first days of birth and to look for an association with the route of birth. METHODS: We conducted a comprehensive literature search for newborns diagnosed with COVID-19 using PubMed, LILACS and Google scholar until May 15, 2020, looking for published articles with pregnancy, vertical transmission, intrauterine transmission, neonates, delivery. RESULTS: There were found 10 articles with a total of 15 newborn infected with SARS-CoV-2 according to positive PCR at birth or in the first days of birth. Eleven newborn birth by cesarean section and 4 vaginally. Of the 11 cases with cesarean section, two presented premature rupture of the membranes. Seven newborns developed pneumonia, of which two had ruptured membranes and one was born by vaginal delivery. CONCLUSION: This review shows that there is perinatal or neonatal infection with SARS-CoV-2 by finding a positive PCR in the first days of birth. In addition, that there is more possibility of neonatal infection if the birth is vaginal or if there is premature rupture of the membranes before cesarean section. Vaginal delivery and premature rupture of membranes should be considered as risk factors for perinatal infection.

Monkeypox and pregnancy.

In May 2022, the World Health Organization reported an emerging global outbreak of monkeypox virus infection. Clinical manifestations of monkeypox allow us to quickly suspect the disease. Until now, no pregnant women infected with this virus have been reported; however, because of its speed of spread worldwide, it is possible that we will soon observe such cases. Thus, it is necessary for obstetrician-gynecologists to know the disease, its clinical manifestations, and the experiences reported in the few previous cases in pregnant women.

COVID 19 and high pregnancy and perinatal complications in Panama.

OBJECTIVES: To report the maternal and neonatal results of patients infected with COVID-19 in Panama. METHODS: The study is based on the analysis of pregnant women with COVID-19, in five hospitals in the Republic of Panama. The inclusion criteria were: patients with or without symptoms, positive RT-PCR for SARS-CoV-2 in the period from March 23 to 6 months after, whose births were attended in one of those five hospitals and who signed the consent. Data were obtained at the time of diagnosis of the infection and at the time of termination of pregnancy for the mother and newborn. RESULTS: Two hundred and fifty-three patients met the inclusion criteria. Most were diagnosed in the third trimester (89.3%). 10.3% of the patients presented in a severe form of COVID-19. The most frequent complication was pre-eclampsia and if we add gestational hypertension they represent 21.2%; most of the patients terminated the pregnancy by cesarean section (58%). 26.9% (95% CI 21.3-32.9%) of the births were premature, and perinatal mortality was 5.4% (95% CI 3.0-9.0%). There was a need for mechanical ventilation in 5.9% (95% CI 3.6-9.6%) of the cohort and there were four maternal deaths (1.6% - 95% CI 0.6-4.0%). CONCLUSIONS: This study of pregnant women infected with COVID-19 and diagnosed with RT-PCR shows serious maternal complications such as high admission to the ICU, need for mechanical ventilation and one death in every 64 infected. Frequent obstetric complications such as hypertension, premature rupture of membranes, high rate of prematurity, and perinatal lethality were also seen.

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 detected in placentas of 2 coronavirus disease 2019-positive asymptomatic pregnant women-case report.

There is limited evidence regarding severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection in the placenta of pregnant women who tested positive, and if this could be a route for vertical transmission of the virus in utero. We present the cases of 2 pregnant women in their third trimester who were admitted for delivery by cesarean delivery and who, through universal screening, tested positive for coronavirus disease 2019. The maternal and fetal sides of the placenta were sectioned from both patients for viral analysis. Real-time polymerase chain reaction analysis of the placental-extracted RNA revealed a severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection on the fetal side of the placenta in both patients. The virus was isolated from the patient with the lowest cycle threshold value on the fetal side of the placenta. Whole genome sequencing showed that the virus detected in this placenta was from the B1 lineage. Immunohistochemical analysis of the placental tissue detected severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 in the endothelial cells of chorionic villi vessels proximal to both the maternal and fetal sides, with a granular cytoplasmic pattern and perinuclear reinforcement. Histologic examination of the placenta also detected a dense infiltrate of lymphoid cells around decidual vessels and endothelial cells with cytopathic changes, especially on the maternal side. Nasopharyngeal swabs from the infants that were subjected to reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction testing were negative for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 at 24 hours after birth. A follow-up analysis of the infants for immunoglobin G and immunoglobin M expression, clinical manifestations, and long-term developmental abnormalities is recommended.

Dexamethasone in HELLP syndrome: experience in Bolivia.

Objective: To demonstrate the utility of dexamethasone, used according to the criteria of the attending physician, in patients with HELLP syndrome.Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in patients with HELLP syndrome and was based on the daily, real-life management of HELLP syndrome. Patients who received dexamethasone had it administered immediately after giving birth at a dosage of 8 mg every 8 hours for 72 hours, for a total of 72 mg. The analysis was conducted between patients who received corticosteroids and those who did not, with complete or partial HELLP.Results: There were 97 women who suffered complications from HELLP syndrome, there were 43 (44.3%) received dexamethasone. The groups were comparable except for the initial platelet count because this was the criterion used to divide the groups. In addition, the group without corticosteroids comprised more patients with partial HELLP. The platelet count shows that on the third day was similar in both groups, following a difference of more than 40,000 at the beginning of the study. The average platelet increase was 27,448 in the group without corticosteroids and 88,408 in the corticosteroid group; p = .001.Conclusions: This study demonstrates that the administration of postpartum dexamethasone at a dosage of 8 mg every 8 hours for 72 hours in HELLP syndrome is associated with a significant increase in platelet count.

Maternal deaths due to eclampsia and HELLP syndrome.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate maternal deaths associated with eclampsia, HELLP syndrome, and the concurrence of these conditions. METHOD: A review of Medline studies reporting maternal deaths associated with eclampsia or HELLP syndrome published in English, Spanish, and Portuguese between 1995 and June 2008. RESULTS: A total of 304 deaths were identified: 100 due to eclampsia, 117 due to eclampsia/HELLP, and 87 associated with HELLP syndrome. Of the total deaths, 71.3% of women had seizures and 67.1% developed HELLP syndrome. In high-income countries 3.9% of deaths were due to eclampsia without HELLP syndrome, while in low-income countries this figure was 42.5% (P<0.0001). The presence of HELLP syndrome in the women who died of eclampsia was 90.6% (29/32) in high-income countries compared with 47.6% (88/185) in low-income countries (P<0.001). CONCLUSION: Concurrent eclampsia and HELLP syndrome was diagnosed in 5-6 out of 10 deaths associated with eclampsia or HELLP syndrome in this review.

Vacunas durante el embarazo

La respuesta a las vacunas durante el embarazo puede ser variable, sin embargo, no tenemos evidencia de un descenso en la efectividad de estas. Además, el efecto protector de las vacunas durante el embarazo ha sido documentado desde hace más de un siglo. Las embarazadas son vulnerables a las infecciones por el virus de la gripe, presentando mayores tasas de morbilidad y mortalidad. Es recomendada la vacunación antigripal con vacuna inactivada no ayudada, preferentemente tetravalente, a todas las embarazadas en cualquier trimestre de gestación. La infección por Bordetella Pertussis y especialmente en los menores de 3 meses es de gran riesgo. La vacunación durante el embarazo tiene como objetivos la protección del neonato durante los primeros meses de vida, mediante la transferencia pasiva de anticuerpos y evitar que la mujer adquiera la tosferina y contagie al neonato. El embarazo es un factor de riesgo para una mayor gravedad de la infección por SARS-CoV-2, por lo tanto, las embarazadas constituyen un grupo prioritario para la vacunación. La vacuna se debe ofrecer a las embarazadas igual que al resto de la población, ya que los beneficios de su administración muy probablemente superen los riesgos de padecer la infección. Es especialmente importante ofrecerla a las gestantes con comorbilidades. Toda mujer embarazada debe ser asesorada sobre la importancia y beneficios de la vacunación en ellas y sus hijos. Hoy día están indicadas las vacunas contra influenza, la vacuna TDaP y la vacuna contra COVID-19. (provisto por Infomedic International)

The response to vaccines during pregnancy can be variable, however, we have no evidence of a decrease in their effectiveness. Furthermore, the protective effect of vaccines during pregnancy has been documented for more than a century. Pregnant women are vulnerable to influenza virus infections, presenting higher morbidity and mortality rates. Influenza vaccination with a non-adjuvanted inactivated vaccine, preferably quadrivalent, is recommended for all pregnant women in any trimester of pregnancy. Infection by Bordetella Pertussis, especially in children under 3 months of age, is of great risk. Vaccination during pregnancy aims to protect the newborn during the first months of life, through the passive transfer of antibodies and to prevent the woman from acquiring whooping cough and infecting the newborn. Pregnancy is a risk factor for greater severity of SARS-CoV-2 infection, therefore, pregnant women constitute a priority group for vaccination. The vaccine should be offered to pregnant women just as it is to the rest of the population, since the benefits of its administration most likely outweigh the risks of suffering from the infection. It is especially important to offer it to pregnant women with comorbidities. Every pregnant woman should be advised about the importance and benefits of vaccination for herself and her children. Today influenza vaccines, the TDaP vaccine and the COVID-19 vaccine are indicated. (provided by Infomedic International)

Antenatal corticosteroid therapy: Historical and scientific basis to improve preterm birth management.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this review is to describe the historical and scientific basis of antenatal corticosteroids (ACS) therapy, to improve the management of preterm birth and decreasing rates of respiratory distress syndrome, intraventricular hemorrhage, necrotizing enterocolitis and perinatal mortality in premature infants. STUDY DESIGN: We searched MEDLINE/PubMed electronic database, the Cochrane Library, using medical subheading search words such as "ACS", "corticosteroids", "betamethasone" or "dexamethasone", matching with "preterm birth". RESULTS: This practice was initiated by Liggins and Howie in 1972 and is supported by the initial comprehensive meta-analysis of Crowley, Chambers and Keirse, in 1990, the NIH Consensus Development Conference in 1994, the second Consensus Conference to evaluate repeated courses of corticosteroids in 2000 and the practice recommendations of obstetric societies worldwide. ACS therapy before anticipated preterm birth is one of the most important antenatal therapies and an important evidence-based practice for reducing mortality, and decreasing rates of complications in premature infants. CONCLUSIONS: Today, there is no controversy that women with preterm birth <34 weeks should be ACS treated. Actually, rescue courses are recommended; while multiple, serial, repeated or weekly courses, are not recommended. In any clinical conditions, as preterm premature rupture of membranes, multiple pregnancies, severe preeclampsia/HELLP syndrome and fetal growth restriction; ACS is recommended.

Management of severe hypertension in the postpartum period with intravenous hydralazine or labetalol: a randomized clinical trial.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the safety and efficacy of intravenous labetalol and intravenous hydralazine for acutely lowering blood pressure in the puerperium. DESIGN: Randomized clinical trial. SETTING: Critical care unit of gynecology and obstetrics department in the Complejo hospitalario "Dr. AAM" de la Caja de Seguro Social in Panama. POPULATION: Eighty-two women with severe hypertension during the postpartum period. METHODS: Patients were randomized to receive hydralazine (5 mg as a slow bolus dose given intravenously, and repeated every 20 minutes to a maximum of five doses) or labetalol (20 mg in an intravenous bolus dose followed by 40 mg if not effective within 20 minutes, followed by 80 mg every 20 minutes to a maximum dose of 300 mg). The primary endpoint was the successful lowering of blood pressure. Secondary endpoints were maternal complications and side-effects. RESULTS: Forty-two women were enrolled in the hydralazine group and 40 in the labetalol group. Women were similar with respect to characteristics at randomization. No significant differences were observed for persistent severe hypertension or maternal side-effects. There was only one case of persistent severe hypertension in the labetalol group. There were no maternal deaths in any of the women studied. CONCLUSIONS: This randomized clinical trial shows that intravenous hydralazine and intravenous labetalol are effective and safe in the management of severe hypertension in the postpartum period.

Ibuprofen versus acetaminophen as a post-partum analgesic for women with severe pre-eclampsia: randomized clinical study.

OBJECTIVE: To compare differences in blood pressure levels between patients with severe post-partum pre-eclampsia using ibuprofen or acetaminophen. METHODS: A randomized controlled trial was made in women with severe pre-eclampsia or superimposed pre-eclampsia after vaginal birth. The patient was randomly selected to receive either 400 mg of ibuprofen every 8 h or 1 g of acetaminophen every 6 h during the post-partum. The primary variable was systolic hypertension ≥150 mmHg and/or diastolic hypertension ≥100 mmHg after the first 24 h post-partum. Secondary variables were the arterial blood pressure readings at 24, 48, 72, and 96 h post-partum and maternal complications. RESULTS: A total of 113 patients were studied: 56 in the acetaminophen group and 57 in the ibuprofen group. With regard to the primary outcome, more cases were significantly hypertensive in the ibuprofen group (36/57; 63.1%) than in the acetaminophen group (16/56; 28.6%). Severe hypertension (≥160/110 mmHg) was not significantly different between the groups, 14.5% (acetaminophen) and 24.5% (ibuprofen). The levels of arterial blood pressure show a hammock-shaped curve independent of the drug used, however, is more noticeable with ibuprofen. CONCLUSIONS: This study shows that ibuprofen significantly elevates blood pressure in women with severe pre-eclampsia during the post-partum period.

Blood pressure in adolescent patients with pre-eclampsia and eclampsia.

OBJECTIVE: To compare variables among adolescent and adult patients diagnosed with severe pre-eclampsia or eclampsia. METHODS: The present cross-sectional study enrolled patients with severe pre-eclampsia or eclampsia treated at an intensive care unit in Neiva, Colombia, between January 1 and November 30, 2014. Patients were stratified using age (younger than 20 years [adolescents] and aged at least 20 years [adults]) and patient variables were compared between groups. Maternal age, pregnancy duration at delivery, eclampsia, blood pressure, severe hypertension, maternal organ damage, HELLP syndrome, obstetric hemorrhage, laboratory findings, need for blood transfusion and fetal data were analyzed by group. RESULTS: There were 171 patients enrolled; 154 (90.1%) with severe pre-eclampsia and 17 (9.9%) with eclampsia. There were 46 (26.9%) adolescent patients and 125 (73.1%) adults, and 13 (28.3%) and 4 (3.2%) patients had eclampsia in the adolescent and adult groups, respectively (P=0.001). The systolic (P=0.081), diastolic (P=0.174), and mean (P=0.102) blood pressure did not differ significantly between the groups but were higher in the adult group. The incidence of severe hypertension was significantly higher among adult patients (P=0.037). CONCLUSION: The blood pressure used in defining pre-eclampsia and eclampsia should differ for adolescent patients in comparison with the rest of the population.