Selecting antihypertensive therapy in the pregnant woman with diabetes mellitus

Abstract

The choice of an antihypertensive agent for the pregnant woman with diabetes involves many factors. We seek to avoid adverse fetal effects while optimizing maternal outcome, both short- and long-term. This article examines the existing literature to define therapeutic goals of antihypertensive therapy during pregnancy as compared to the therapeutic goals of antihypertensive therapy in the setting of diabetes mellitus and to integrate this information for the treatment of pregnant women in whom diabetes mellitus and hypertension coexist.

Key Words:

• pregnancy in diabetes
• hypertension
• antihypertensive agents
• diabetic nephropathy