Wing Commander Dr Heindel Tonyi Senayah, a Specialist Obstetrician-Gynaecologist, has called for intensified public education on Pregnancy-Induced Hypertension (PIH), to help reduce maternal deaths in Ghana.

PIH also known as gestational hypertension, is a hypertensive disorder in pregnancy characterised by elevated blood pressure occurring after 20 weeks of pregnancy in a previously normotensive woman.

In an interview with the Ghana News Agency in Kumasi, Dr Senayah, explained that hypertensive disorders of pregnancy were among the leading causes of maternal mortality in Ghana, contributing significantly and estimate of about 15 to 20 per cent of maternal deaths.

He described PIH as a potentially life-threatening condition that could deteriorate rapidly if not detected early and managed appropriately yet, remained under-discussed in public health education.

Dr Senayah noted that, although the condition could not be completely reversed until delivery, early detection and proper management including close monitoring, antihypertensive therapy, and timely intervention could significantly improve maternal and fetal outcomes.

“With hypertensive disorders in pregnancy, the clinical condition can worsen unpredictably, which is why careful monitoring and timely decision-making are essential,” he said.

He emphasised that, while delivery of the baby and placenta remained the definitive treatment, the timing of delivery depended on the severity of the disease, gestational age, and the condition of both mother and baby. 

Additionally, in severe cases, early delivery may be necessary to safeguard the mother’s life.

Dr Senayah explained that the exact cause of PIH was not fully understood, but it was strongly linked to abnormal placentation and maternal vascular dysfunction. 

Current evidence, he disclosed, suggested that a multifactorial origin involving genetic, immunological, and environmental factors contributed to the condition.

“There are several theories, but what is clear is that the placenta plays a central role in the development of the disease,” he noted.

He outlined risk factors including maternal age below 20 years or above 40 years, multiple pregnancy, pre-existing hypertension, diabetes, obesity, and a previous history of hypertensive disorders in pregnancy.

Dr Senayah clarified that, while some women might not initially show obvious symptoms, warning signs of severe disease may include persistent headache, visual disturbances, upper abdominal pain, and swelling.

Hence, he stressed the importance of regular antenatal monitoring.

He explained that the presence of protein in urine, in addition to hypertension, indicated progression to preeclampsia, a more severe form of the condition.

According to him, most women recover after delivery, although some may continue to have hypertension postpartum and require follow-up care.

He debunked common myths that PIH was caused by the sex of the baby, spiritual factors, or personal habits, stressing that, it was a medical condition requiring timely diagnosis and management.

Dr Senayah advised pregnant women to initiate antenatal care early and attend regularly to enable early detection and management of complications. –GNA