Fetal outcome in trial of antihypertensive treatment in pregnancy.

242 women completed a controlled trial of methyldopa ('Aldomet') for moderate hypertension in pregnancy. Active treatment was associated with a significantly improved fetal outcome, due in part to a reduced number of mid-pregnancy abortions. There were 9 pregnancy losses in the control group, which included 4 mid-pregnancy abortions, and 1 fetal loss in the treated group. The birthweight and maturity of viable infants were similar in treated and control groups, and a detailed multivariate analysis confirmed that hypotensive treatment had no effect on fetal growth in utero. The better outcome associated with treatment was not due to the prevention of pre-eclampsia, and may be partly due to a direct or indirect effect of methyldopa on uterine activity. Methyldopa is safe to use for the treatment of hypertension in pregnancy in the context of close medical and obstetric supervision.