Study on Risk Factors for Preeclampsia in Pregnant Women in a Tertiary Care Hospital

Research Article

Abstract

Preeclampsia remains a significant cause of maternal and fetal morbidity worldwide. This prospective observational study investigated risk factors and clinical outcomes associated with preeclampsia in 36 pregnant women at a tertiary care hospital over six months. The study evaluated the prevalence of comorbidities and their relationship with preeclampsia severity. Hypertension emerged as the most common comorbidity (63.8%), followed by anemia and obesity (11.1% each). Statistical analysis revealed significant associations between maternal obesity and preeclampsia severity (p=0.042). Notably, severe preeclampsia showed a strong correlation with low-birth weight outcomes (p=0.015), with 18 of 22 severe cases resulting in low-birth weight infants. The study found no significant associations between preeclampsia severity and other factors including anemia, hypothyroidism, and mode of delivery. Age distribution analysis showed the highest prevalence in the 31-35 years age group. This research shows the critical importance of early identification and management of high-risk patients, particularly those with obesity and hypertension. Regular antenatal monitoring and targeted interventions for weight management and blood pressure control could potentially reduce preeclampsia-related complications. Limitations of the study including sample size and single-center design suggest the need for larger, multi-center studies to better understand the complex interplay of factors influencing preeclampsia development and progression.