INTRODUCTION
Pregnancy induced hypertension (PIH) includes a group of
hypertensive disorders which develop during pregnancy and is
one of the most common obstetric complication. PIH includes
gestational hypertension, Pre-eclampsia and Eclampsia. Gestational
hypertension is new onset hypertension developing after 20 weeks
of pregnancy with blood pressure rising upto ≥ 140/90 mm Hg
but without proteinuria. If it is not detected early, it can progress
to Pre-eclampsia [1]. The cardinal features of pre-eclampsia are
hypertension and proteinuria. If Pre-eclampsia progresses without
proper treatment, patient eventually develops Eclampsia which is
characterized by the presence of convulsions in association with
the signs and symptoms of Pre-eclampsia. Hypertensive disorders
complicate 5 to 10% of all pregnancies [1]. It has been estimated
that worldwide about 76,000 pregnant women die each year from
pre-eclampsia and related hypertensive disorders. As compared to
women of a developed country, a woman in developing countries is
seven times more likely to develop pre-eclampsia [2].