High maternal hemoglobin concentration in first trimester as risk factor for pregnancy induced hypertension

Background: High maternal hemoglobin (Hb) concentration was considered a risk factor for the developing of pregnancy hypertension. The purpose of this study was to determine whether high maternal Hb concentration in first trimesters associated with pregnancy induced hypertension in Iranian nulliparous women. Methods: This study was carried out in teaching hospital in Sari, Iran. Samples were obtained from 1008 women who were almost on their 14th week pregnancy and were admitted to prenatal clinic of this hospital from October 2008 to December 2009. Their blood pressure was normal. After measuring Hb at first visit, they were divided into groups (11X04Hb<13.2 and HbX0513.2). Pregnancy induced hypertension in these groups were compared. Results: In normal Hb group, 14(2.75%) women had hypertension and in high Hb group, 21(4.2%) had hypertension (p=0.045). High hemoglobin concentration in the first trimester showed a risk factor for pregnancy induced hypertension (OR= 2.462 95% CI, 1-6.9). Conclusion: The results showed that women with high hemoglobin concentration in the first trimester carried an increased risk of pregnancy induced hypertension.