Hypertensive disorders in pregnancy: a review of international guidelines

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. © 2013 Informa Healthcare USA, Inc. All rights reserved.