Risk factors of preeclampsia in Thai women

Abstract

Objective: To determine the risk factors of preeclampsia in a university hospital.

Material and method: The authors conducted a case control study involving 309 Thai pregnant women with preeclampsia and 309 controls who delivered at King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital, Bangkok, Thailand between June 2008 and May 2009. Information was taken from maternal inquiry, delivery records and antenatal care records.

Results: The risk factors that were significantly associated with increased risk of preeclampsia were maternal age > or = 35 years (ORs 1.7; 95% CI 1.1-2.9), nulliparity (ORs 3.8; 95% CI 2.5-5.7), prepregnancy body mass index > or = 30 kg/m2 (ORs 3.0; 95% CI 1.4-6.3), multifetal pregnancy (ORs 2.8; 95% CI 1.2-7.1), history of preeclampsia in a previous pregnancy (ORs 17.0; 95% CI 3.3-87.6) and chronic hypertension (ORs 19.5; 95% CI 2.4-155.7). Maternal age < 20 years (ORs 0.4, 95% CI 0.2-0.9) and prepregnancy body mass index < 20 kg/m2 (ORs 0.4; 95% CI 0.2-0.6) were significant protective factors against the development of preeclampsia.

Conclusion: Risk factors of preeclampsia were maternal age > or = 35 years, nulliparity, prepregnancy body mass index > or = 30 kg/m2, multifetal pregnancy, history of preeclampsia in previous pregnancy and chronic hypertension. On the other hand, maternal age < 20 years and prepregnancy body mass index < 20 kg/m2 were significant protective factors against the development of preeclampsia. These risk factors should be of value to obstetricians counseling women regarding preeclampsia.