Preeclampsia and preterm delivery: A population-based case-control study

Abstract

Objective: To determine the contribution of preeclampsia toward preterm birth in primiparous women.

Methods: This large population-based case-control study used the Aberdeen Maternity and Neonatal Databank to analyze data on primiparous women with singleton pregnancies, who delivered between 1997 and 2012.

Results: A significant positive association was found between preeclampsia and preterm birth (adjusted odds ratio 4.43; 95% confidence interval 3.80-5.16). Magnitude of association varied according to the onset of delivery and year of delivery.

Conclusion: Preeclampsia is an important contributor to preterm delivery in this setting and therefore a potentially useful condition to target in order to reduce preterm rates.

Keywords: Case–control study; gestational hypertension; perinatal morbidity and mortality; preeclampsia.