progression from gestational hypertension to PE?

[expert@preeclampsia.org]

What are the odds that gestational hypertension (without proteinuria) will progress to PE or HELLP? Does it vary by the gestational age at which GH appears? Is someone who develops it at 22 weeks at higher risk of progression than someone who develops it at 39 weeks?

[expert@preeclampsia.org]

I am not aware of actual firm statistics to answer your question. There is a generally firm clinical opinion that the earlier in pregnancy that gestational hypertension appears, the more likely are proteinuria and other manifestations to follow. Of importance is that anyone presenting with mild to moderate hypertension late in pregnancy might best be watched closely by one expert in high risk obstetrics. Presentation with severe hypertension, even in the absence of proteinuria, is best followed by hospitalization, diagnoses and management starting in an inpatient setting.