Blood pressure response in hypertensive pregnancies treated with cortisol.

Thirty-two hypertensive gravidas were treated in the third trimester of pregnancy with intravenous cortisol to enhance fetal lung maturity before premature delivery. Blood pressure was measured throughout 24 hours of steroid therapy. No significant increase in maternal blood pressure occurred. Complications and precautions are discussed. Fear of steroid induced exacerbation of maternal hypertension is not a valid reason to withhold steroid therapy in hypertensive pregnancy.