Abstract

Objective: Which physical findings and blood parameters predict postpartum hypertension remain to be studied in women with twin pregnancies.

Methods: The antenatal systolic and diastolic blood pressures (SBP and DBP, respectively), and 16 laboratory variables were investigated in 150 normotensive women who gave birth to twins.

Results: When the median values of the 18 continuous variables were used as cut-off values, an SBP>120 mm Hg (relative risk [95% confidence interval], 2.81 [1.94–4.08]), a DBP>70 mm Hg (2.42 [1.68–3.49]), an aspartate aminotransferase level>18 U/L (2.22 [1.55–3.19]), and a uric acid level>5.3 mg/dL (1.68 [1.20–2.36]) were independent risk factors for postpartum hypertension.

Conclusions: Antenatal blood pressure measurements and a laboratory work-up may be useful clinically for predicting postpartum hypertension in women with twin pregnancies.