Gestational hypertension during pregnancy is characterized by hypertension after 20 weeks and resolution by 12 weeks postpartum and by the absence of what?

Gestational hypertension during pregnancy is characterized by hypertension after 20 weeks and resolution by 12 weeks postpartum and by the absence of what?

• A. Proteinuria
• B. Edema
• C. Hypokalemia
• D. Rash

Answer: (A)

Gestational hypertension is defined by new-onset high blood pressure after 20 weeks of gestation that returns to normal by about 12 weeks postpartum, and crucially, it occurs without protein leakage in the urine. The absence of proteinuria is what distinguishes it from preeclampsia, which involves hypertension plus proteinuria or other signs of end-organ dysfunction. Edema can occur in pregnancy but is not a defining feature, and issues like hypokalemia or a rash are not part of this condition. So the key absence defining gestational hypertension is proteinuria.

Gestational hypertension is defined by new-onset high blood pressure after 20 weeks of gestation that returns to normal by about 12 weeks postpartum, and crucially, it occurs without protein leakage in the urine. The absence of proteinuria is what distinguishes it from preeclampsia, which involves hypertension plus proteinuria or other signs of end-organ dysfunction. Edema can occur in pregnancy but is not a defining feature, and issues like hypokalemia or a rash are not part of this condition. So the key absence defining gestational hypertension is proteinuria.