The unfavorable slope from mild preeclampsia through severe preeclampsia, to eclampsia.

OBJECTIVE

To compare the risk factors as well as maternal and perinatal outcomes between women with eclampsia to those with mild and severe preeclampsia.

METHODS

A retrospective study comparing pregnancy outcomes of women with preeclampsia (mild and severe) with those who were complicated with eclampsia was conducted. Statistical analysis included chi-square test for trend (the linear-by-linear association test).

RESULTS

The study population consisted of 10,018 women, 0.5% (n=52) suffered from eclampsia, 24% (n=2,409) had severe preeclampsia and 75.4% (n=7,557) had mild preeclampsia. A significant linear association was noted between the three groups (eclampsia, severe preeclampsia and mild preeclampsia) and risk factors such as nulliparity, young maternal age and oligohydramnios. A significant linear association was also documented between the three groups and adverse obstetric and perinatal outcomes such as post-partum hemorrhage, the need for blood transfusion, non reassuring fetal heart rate (NRFHR) patterns, low Apgar score at 5min and perinatal mortality.

CONCLUSIONS

An unfavorable slope was noted in the rate of certain risk factors and adverse perinatal outcomes between women with eclampsia through patients with severe preeclampsia to those with mild preeclampsia.