Association of High Hematocrit Value in the Development of Gestational Hypertension / Pre-Eclampsia

OBJECTIVES: To assess the association of hematocrit value as an early predictor of gestational hypertension / preeclampsia and in grading its severity MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is a comparative cross-sectional study conducted in the department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology at Govt.Kilpauk Medical College Hospital, Chennai, from March 2020 to November 2020. Total of 120 patients were divided into two groups, 60 gestational hypertension/preeclamptic patients (Group-A) and 60 normal pregnant women (Group-B). The haematocrit values between 20-32 weeks of gestational age and >32 weeks of gestational age were compared between the 2 groups. RESULTS: Majority of hypertensive women (71.7%) and normotensive women (83.3%) were in the age group of 20-30 years. Majority ofhypertensive women (66.7%) and normotensive women (61.7%) were primigravida. The mean hematocrit values of hypertensive women and normotensive women at 20-32 weeks gestational age was not statistically significant, whereas statistically significant difference were seen at >32 weeks gestational age being 34.52±1.58 and 29.93±1.35 respectively. The latency period from rise in hematocrit to diagnosis was also studied and it was significant as well. The mean HCT value in patients > 32 weeks gestational age for Gestational hypertension, non-severe preeclampsia and severe pre-eclampsia were compared with normotensive patients and the difference in mean HCT had following values respectively +3.6, +4.0 and + 5.6 which can be used in grading the severity of the disease. CONCLUSION: This study shows that hematocrit value which is a commonly available data can be used as an early predictor of gestational hypertension/preeclampsia and in grading its severity.