What is a serious risk associated with hypertensive disorders in pregnancy?

Hypertensive disorders in pregnancy, such as gestational hypertension and preeclampsia, can lead to a serious condition known as eclampsia, which is characterized by the occurrence of seizures. These seizures are a severe complication that can threaten both the mother’s and the fetus’s health. Eclampsia typically occurs in women who have already been diagnosed with preeclampsia, and it can manifest suddenly.

The underlying mechanism involves the elevated blood pressure and related pathophysiological changes that can affect the vascular system and brain, leading to seizure activity. This risk underscores the importance of monitoring blood pressure and recognizing signs of hypertensive disorders in pregnant women early.

The other listed options, while relevant in the clinical context, do not represent the immediate and severe danger associated with hypertensive disorders. Preterm labor and gestational diabetes are serious conditions during pregnancy, but they do not entail the acute life-threatening risk posed by seizures relating to eclampsia. Anemia, while it can be a concern during pregnancy, is more of a gradual concern rather than a sudden, severe risk like eclampsia.