Hypertensive disorders in pregnancy: a review of international guidelines

Abstract

International collaboration could facilitate systematic development of guidelines to regulate and improve clinical practice. Insight into existing international guidelines regarding hypertensive disorders in pregnancy (HDP) is essential. Aim was to evaluate the content and quality of international clinical guidelines on HDP. Quality was assessed with the internationally validated Appraisal of Guidelines for Research and Evaluation (AGREE II) Instrument. Six guidelines were identified. Quality was moderate to high. Major flaws were applicability, editorial independence and stakeholder involvement. Recommendations differed considerably, particularly their extensiveness. The number of international HDP guidelines is small and the extensiveness of their recommendations varies considerably.

• Agree
• Guidelines
• Hypertensive disorders in pregnancy
• International
• Quality

Contribution of Authorship

SL played a part in the conception, performed the search strategy, selected the relevant guidelines, appraised the selected HDP guidelines, analyzed the data and wrote the manuscript. MW played a part in the conception of the review and participated in writing the manuscript. TK appraised the selected HDP guidelines. KH appraised the selected HDP guidelines. MO appraised the selected HDP guidelines. MT participated in writing the manuscript. RH played a part in the conception, selected the relevant guidelines, appraised the selected HDP guidelines, analyzed the data and participated in writing the manuscript.

Ethical Approval

None requested, not necessary.

Funding

No funding was received.