Modern management of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy.

Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy contribute significantly to perinatal mortality. Successful application of modern tests of antepartum fetal status and appropriately timed delivery, with monitored labor and liberal use of cesarean section led to significantly improved fetal and neonatal salvage in 242 patients with hypertensive disorders of pregnancy between 1973 and 1975. The reduction in perinatal mortality to a corrected rate of 12/1000 in the years 1973-1975, compared to a previous rate of 75/1000 between 1970 and 1972, justifies the modern aggressive management of hypertensive disorders in pregnancy.