Risk Factors of Pre-Eclampsia: A Hospital Based Case Control Study

Introduction: Hypertension, complicating 5 to 7% of all pregnan- cies, is a leading cause of maternal and fetal morbidity, particu- larly due to pre-eclampsia, pre-eclampsia contributes about 8 to 10% of maternal deaths in India. Methodology: Hospital based case control study; cases were women in post-natal period within 2 days of delivery suffering from pre-eclampsia Controls were Women in post-natal period within 2 days of delivery not suffering from pre-eclampsia of same age (±2 years) as that of cases. Results: Significant independent risk factors of pre-eclampsia. found were first degree relative with HTN (OR = 5.0; 95% CI 3.2 – 8) ;Twin gestation (OR = 4; 95% CI 1.3 - 12.2) ,Family history of pre-eclampsia (OR = 3.7; 95% CI 1.2 - 11.2), Absence of essential obstetric care (OR = 3; 95% CI 1.8 – 5), History of PIH in previous pregnancy (OR = 2.8; 95% CI 1.5 – 5.0), History of abortion in pre- vious pregnancy (OR = 2.8; 95% CI 1.3 - 5.9), Pre pregnancy BMI (OR = 2.7; 95% CI 5.1 –1.4) Conclusion: If greater awareness of the associated risk factors leads to earlier diagnosis and improved management, there may be scope for reducing a proportion of the morbidity and mortality from preeclampsia.