早发型重度子痫前期妊娠结局分析

目的:探讨早发型重度子痫前期的临床特点及围生结局。方法:回顾性分析2006年6月至2009年6月四川大学华西第二医院收治的重度子痫前期患者413例,以发病孕周34周为界限,分为早发型重度子痫前期组156例(早发型组)及晚发型重度子痫前期组257例(晚发型组)。比较两组一般情况、并发症、分娩方式及围生儿结局等指标。结果:早发型组患者在终止妊娠孕周、延长孕周时间、住院时间、入院时血压、24小时尿蛋白、并发症发生率及围生儿结局等方面与晚发型组比较,差异均有高度统计学意义(P<0.01)。结论:早发型重度子痫前期患者病情严重,围生儿预后不佳,应根据母胎情况,适时剖宫产终止妊娠。     

早发型和晚发型重度子痫前期分娩方式及母婴结局分析

目的探讨早发型和晚发型重度子痫前期分娩方式及母婴结局。方法收集1977-2010年在西安交通大学医学院第一附属医院产科住院的重度子痫前期患者4457例,其中早发型860例,晚发型3597例。回顾性分析其分娩方式及母婴结局。结果早发型和晚发型重度子痫前期剖宫产率分别为57.7%和36.9%,早发型明显高于晚发型(P=0.02);胎盘早剥是最常见并发症,在早发型和晚发型重度子痫前期发生率分别为6.7%和4.6%(P<0.05)。早发型和晚发型重度子痫前期围生儿死亡率分别为3.6%和2.2%(P<0.01)。特别是早发型妊娠34周前终止妊娠者,围生儿死亡率高达4.9%。结论子痫前期终止妊娠的主要方式为剖宫产术;发病孕周越早,母婴不良结局发生率越高。     

早发型重度子痫前期发病孕周与母儿预后的关系

目的探讨早发型重度子痫前期的发病孕周与母儿预后的关系。方法回顾性分析2002年1月至2006年12月北京大学第一医院分娩的266例孕28-36周发病的单胎重度子痫前期患者的临床资料,按重度子痫前期发病孕周分为4组,Ⅰ组孕28-30周50例;Ⅱ组孕30^＋1-32周72例;Ⅲ组孕32^＋1-34周78例;Ⅳ组组孕34^＋1-36周66例。比较这4组的临床特点和母儿并发症。结果Ⅰ组孕妇有不良产史者明显高于Ⅱ组、Ⅲ组、Ⅳ组（32%vs 8.3%、5.1%、6.0%,P〈0.05）;Ⅰ组孕妇有子痫前期史者明显高于Ⅱ组、Ⅲ组、Ⅳ组（24%vs 5.5%、0%、9.0%,P〈0.05）;保守治疗时间Ⅰ组（19±23）d,Ⅱ组（10±10）d,分别明显高于Ⅲ组（6±9）d、Ⅳ组（5±7）d,（P〈0.05）;24 h尿蛋白定量平均为Ⅰ组（6.2±4.9）g,明显高于Ⅱ组（4.8±2.9）g、Ⅲ组（4.0±3.0）g、Ⅳ组（2.8±2.1）g,（P〈0.05）;围产儿死亡率Ⅰ组和Ⅱ组分别为48%、16.6%,明显高于Ⅲ组和Ⅳ组的5.1%、3.0%,P〈0.05;新生儿RDS的发生率Ⅰ组为24%、Ⅱ组为30.5%,分别明显高于Ⅲ组的2.5%、Ⅳ组的12.1%,P〈0.05;孕妇并发症各组之间分析比较差异无统计学意义。结论重度子痫前期发病孕周早晚和保守治疗时间长短与孕妇并发症的发生无关。孕32周之前发病的重度子痫前期的围产儿死亡率及新生儿RDS发生率明显高于孕32周之后发病者。孕妇的不良产史及子痫前期史与重度子痫前期的发病时间相关。     

24h尿蛋白对早发型重度子痫前期母婴结局的影响

目的:探讨24h尿蛋白定量高低及其变化对早发型重度子痫前期(PE)实施期待治疗母婴结局的影响。方法:回顾分析2008年1月至2013年12月在温州医科大学附属第一医院住院期待治疗并分娩、发病孕周(280/7~336/7周)的94例重度PE患者的临床资料。根据入院24h尿蛋白定量分为两组:I组5g(56例),II组≥5g(38例)。比较两组患者的临床特点及母婴结局。结果:Ⅰ、Ⅱ组患者的期待治疗时间分别为12.6和12.2天,85%患者经保守治疗后24h尿蛋白呈增长趋势。两组孕妇的严重并发症,包括胎盘早剥、HELLP综合征、低蛋白血症、胸腹水、FGR比较,差异无统计学意义(P0.05),两组均无DIC、子痫及孕产妇死亡发生。(3)围产儿结局中,出生体重、出生孕周、Apgar评分、NICU住院时间、并发症(颅内出血、支气管肺发育不良、坏死性小肠结肠炎)比较,差异均无统计学意义(P0.05);Ⅱ组的RDS发生率及入住NICU高于Ⅰ组,差异有统计学意义(P0.05),两组围产儿死亡率均为5%。结论:对早发型重度PE伴蛋白尿的患者,不应将24h尿蛋白量或增长速率作为终止妊娠的单一指标,需结合孕周、临床症状、胎儿成熟度和实验室检查,在母体实施期待疗法条件良好的情况下,尽可能延长孕周以改善围生儿预后。     

早发型重度子痫前期101例临床分析

目的:探讨早发型重度子痫前期的临床特征及对妊娠结局的影响.方法:回顾性分析我院收治的289例重度子痫前期病例(其中早发型组101例,晚发型组188例,围生儿301例)的母婴结局.结果:①早发型组的发病时平均血压、发病孕周、分娩孕周及严重并发症发生率与晚发型组比较,差异有统计学意义(P＜0.05);两组分娩方式比较,差异无统计学意义(P＞0.05);且早发型组胎儿脐血流比值(S/D)、胎儿生长受限(FGR)、早产、胎儿窘迫、新生儿窒息、围生儿死亡的发生率高于晚发型组,差异有统计学意义(P＜0.05);②早发型重度子痫前期按发病孕周分为A组(＜28周)、B组(28 ～31+6周)、C组(32 ～ 33+6周),3组围生儿结局比较,A组病例中胎儿脐动脉S/D≥3、FGR及新生儿窒息的发生率均高于B组及C组(P＜0.05);而A组及B组围生儿死亡率高于C组,差异有统计学意义(P＜0.05);③早发型重度子痫前期病例中脐动脉S/D≥3的病例,FGR、胎儿窘迫、新生儿窒息及围生儿死亡的发生率均高于S/D ＜3的病例(P＜0.05);两者间早产的发生率差异无统计学意义(P＞0.05).结论:早发型重度子痫前期孕妇发病孕周越早,FGR、新生儿窒息、胎儿窘迫及围生儿死亡发生率越高,围生儿结局不佳.基层医院应加强孕期保健,定期行产前检查.     

不同孕周早发型重度子痫前期发病的母婴结局分析

目的：分析不同孕周早发型重度子痫前期发病的母婴结局。方法：回顾性分析120例到我院诊治的不同孕周早发型重度子痫前期发病的患者,根据不同孕周分为3组,孕周＜28周为A组,28≤孕周〈32周为B组,32周≤孕周〈34周为C组,比较3组患者终止妊娠时间、保守治疗时间、分娩方式、母婴死亡情况、并发症情况以及围生儿存活情况等。结果：3组患者终止妊娠时间、保守治疗时间、围生儿存活情况比较差异有统计学意义（P＜0.05）,孕妇死亡情况比较差异无统计学意义（P＞0.05）。结论：不同孕周早发型重度子痫前期孕妇的围生儿死亡率和并发症发生率比较高,并且发生率孕周小的高于孕周多的。孕妇安全的情况下,可以保守治疗延长胎龄,促进胎儿成熟,使新生儿存活率升高,围生儿死亡率降低。     

早发型重度子痫前期期待治疗妊娠结局的多因素分析

目的探讨早发型重度子痫前期期待治疗中母儿不良妊娠结局的独立危险因素。方法对57例经期待治疗的早发型重度子痫前期孕妇的临床资料进行总结分析,按照有无孕妇及新生儿严重并发症（包括新生儿死亡）的发生分别分为孕妇不良妊娠结局组与对照组和新生儿不良结局组与对照组,分别比较两组患者的一般临床情况及各项检验指标。采用多因素Logistic回归分析母儿不良妊娠结局的危险因素。结果57例早发型重度子痫前期期待治疗中,16例孕妇出现严重并发症,发生率为16/57（28.1%）,无孕产妇死亡。胎死宫内3例,12例新生儿出现明显并发症,其中6例新生儿死亡,围产儿死亡率为9/57（15.8‰）。经多因素回归分析,发病孕周（以30周为界）及血小板减少是孕妇严重并发症发生的独立危险因素,比数比分别为5.2（95%CI 1.1-24.0,P=0.04）和4.6（95%CI 1.2-17.6,P=0.03）。分娩孕周（以32周为界）是新生儿病率及死亡率的独立危险因素,比数比为6.0（95%CI 1.5-24.9,P=0.01）。结论早发型重度子痫前期期待治疗中需严密监护。发病孕周不足30周及血小板降低者孕妇严重并发症的发生显著增加,而分娩孕周超过32周,新生儿结局将显著改善,因此需权衡利弊,选择恰当时机终止妊娠。     

早发型重度子痫前期期待治疗及妊娠结局

目的：探讨早发型重度子痫前期期待治疗和终止妊娠时机选择对母儿结局的影响。方法：对72例早发型重度子痫前期病例进行回顾性分析,按终止妊娠的孕周分3组,比较母儿结局。结果：随期待治疗时间的延长,新生儿窒息率和死亡率明显下降（P〈0．01）,而孕妇并发症无明显增加。结论：对早发型重度子痫前期,期待治疗和适时终止妊娠是最大限度降低孕产妇和围产儿死亡率的重要方法。     

早发型重度子痫前期对母婴预后的影响

目的:探讨早发型重度子痫前期对妊娠结局的影响.方法:回顾性分析我院收治的218例重度子痫前期患者(其中早发型组72例,晚发型组146例,围生儿235例)的母婴结局.结果:①早发型重度子痫前期患者收缩压为168.4±20.5 mmHg,舒张压为106.8±16.5 mmHg,高于晚发组159.4±15.9 mmHg和101.5±11.2 mmHg(P均＜0.05);早发型组治疗时间为4.0±3.7天,长于晚发型组(1.3±2.4)天(P＜0.01);早发型组分娩孕周为33.6±2.6周,早于晚发型组38.4±1.8周(P＜0.01);②早发型组母亲低蛋白血症的发生率55.6%,高于晚发型组34.3%(P＜0.01);早发型组母亲心功能不全、子痫、HELLP综合征、胎盘早剥、视网膜剥离、肾功能损害等严重并发症总发生率为26.4%,高于晚发型组14.3%(p＜0.05);③早发型纽围生儿体重低于晚发型组(P＜0.01),且早发型组围生儿中早产、FGR、新生儿窒息、转入NICU及围生儿死亡率均分别高于晚发型组(P均＜0.01);④早发型组中发病孕周越早,围生儿体重越低(P＜0.01),入住NICU率越高(P＜0.01),围生儿死亡率、FGR及早产发生率逐渐增加.结论:早发型重度子痫前期孕妇病情严重,围生儿预后不佳,且发病越早,围生儿预后越差.严格选择病例行短期的期待治疗是安全有效的.     

早发型重度子痫前期发病及母婴结局的临床分析

目的:分析不同孕周早发型重度子痫前期发病与母婴结局.方法:对127例早发型重度子痫前期病例进行回顾性分析,根据其孕周不同分为3组,即A组(孕周<28周)、B组(28周≤孕周<32周)、C组(32周≤孕周<34周),比较3组间孕产妇终止妊娠和保守治疗时间,并发症发生情况、围生儿存活情况、母亲死亡情况以及分娩方式.结果:3组间终止妊娠时间比较差异有统计学意义(P<0.05),B组保守治疗时间与A、C两组比较,A组并发症发生率与B、C两组比较差异有统计学意义(P<0.05);3组间围生儿死亡率(胎死宫内及新生儿死亡)比较差异有统计学意义(P<0.05),A组胎儿生长受限和胎儿窘迫发生率与C组比较,B组胎儿生长受限发生率与C组比较差异均有统计学意义(P<0.05);3组孕妇死亡率比较差异无统计学意义.结论:早发型重度子痫前期孕妇常伴有高并发症率和高围生儿死亡率,且孕周越小发生率越高,在保证孕妇安全下可采取保守治疗适当延长胎龄,以期达到胎儿成熟,降低围生儿死亡率,提高新生儿存活率.     

重度子痫前期临床发病类型及特点与围产结局的关系

目的探讨重度子痫前期临床发病类型和特点与围产结局的关系;进一步研究早发型重度子痫前期的临床界定及保守治疗的临床意义.方法173例重度子痫前期患者以孕34周发病时间为界,分为早发和晚发两种类型;再根据病程进展缓急（起病至发展为重度子痫前期＞48 h）进一步将其分为突发和渐进两种类型.共分4组：即早发突发型组10例、早发渐进型组87例、晚发突发型组18例、晚发渐进型组58例.对4组患者的一般临床资料、并发症发生情况、临床监测指标及围产结局进行分析比较.结果（1）早发突发型组及晚发突发型组共28例（16.2%）患者突发起病,病情于48 h内发展成重度子痫前期;早发渐进型组及晚发渐进型组共145例患者（83.4%）缓慢发病,病情于48 h后逐渐发展成重度子痫前期.早发突发型组的发生率与晚发突发型组比较,差异无统计学意义（P＞0.05）;早发渐进型组的发生率与晚发渐进型组比较,差异无统计学意义（P＞0.05）.（2）早发突发型组严重并发症发生率为100.0%（10/10）,早发渐进型组为34.5%（30/87）,晚发突发型组为100.0%（18/18）,晚发渐进型组为29.3%（17/58）.早发突发型组严重并发症发生率与早发渐进型组比较,差异有统计学意义（P＜0.001）;晚发突发型组严重并发症发生率与晚发渐进型组比较,差异有统计学意义（P＜0.001）.（3）早发突发型组胎（婴）儿死亡率为72.7%（8/11）,早发渐进型组为24.3%（25/103）,两组比较,差异有统计学意义（P＜0.01）.晚发突发型组胎（婴）儿死亡率为22.2%（4/18）,晚发渐进型组为4.9%（3/61）,两组比较,差异有统计学意义（P＜0.05）.（4）多因素回归分析显示,终止妊娠孕周是影响围产结局的主要因素;发病孕周以34孕周来界定早发和晚发类型时,发病孕周与围产结局无相关性（OR=0.426,95%CI：0.138～1.331）;以32孕周来界定早发和晚发类型时,则与围产结局相关（OR=0.177,95%CI：0.085～0.369）.结论重度子痫前期患者的临床发病类型较为复杂,早发突发型患者有临床上的不可预测性,其围产结局不良;晚发渐进型患者的围产结局较好.终止孕周是影响围产结局的主要因素,临床上以32孕周界定早发类型重度子痫前期更能准确反映发病孕周与围产结局的关系.     

早发型重度先兆子痫的临床界定及保守治疗探讨

目的　探讨早发型重度先兆子痫的临床界定及保守治疗的临床意义。方法　回顾分析1988年9月至2004年4月,北京大学第三医院收治的255例无严重并发症及合并症的重度先兆子痫患者的临床资料,按重度先兆子痫发病孕周分为4组:A组<28周, 24例; B组28~31周, 50例;C组32~33周, 34例;D组≥34周, 147例。主要分析指标包括:发病孕周、终止妊娠孕周、孕周延长时间、严重并发症发生情况、胎儿及新生儿死亡率和小于孕龄儿发生率。结果　(1)A组保守治疗时间平均为(9 ±8)d,B组为(11±8)d,C组为(8±6)d,D组为(5±4)d,D组保守治疗时间与前3组比较, 差异有统计学意义(P<0 .01 )。而A、B、C各组间的保守治疗时间比较,差异无统计学意义(P>0. 05)。A、B、C各组孕妇并发症发生率比较,差异也无统计学意义(P>0 .05 ),但与D组比较,差异有统计学意义(P<0 .01);A、B组胎儿及新生儿死亡率、胎死宫内发生率与C、D组比较,差异均有统计学意义(P<0 .01),而C、D两组间比较,差异无统计学意义(P>0 .05)。(2)多因素logistic回归分析显示,重度先兆子痫发病孕周,是影响孕妇并发症发生率的重要因素,而与保守治疗时间无相关性。终止妊娠孕周是影响胎儿及新生儿死亡率的主要因素,其次为发病孕周。(3)以32孕周为界值进行多因素分析显示,终止妊娠孕周     

The perinatal factors associated with the development of neonatal RDS in cases of placenta previa

Sixty-two cases of preterm placenta previa were managed in our hospital since September, 1979 through August, 1983. These were reviewed and analysed retrospectively for the perinatal factors in terms of the development of respiratory distress syndrome (RDS). Conservative management was employed in 56 cases (90%), which consisted of antepartum blood transfusion (7 cases: 11.3%), tocolysis for inhibition of premature labor (37 cases: 59.7%), and prenatal steroid administration (8 cases: 12.9%). Nineteen cases (31%) were delivered from 28 to 33 weeks, 20 cases (32%) from 34 to 36 weeks, and 23 cases (37%) after 37 weeks. When regular uterine contractions occurred at less than 10 minute intervals at the initiation of tocolysis, the majority of the cases had to be delivered within 7 days or less. Ten of the 39 preterm neonates in this study developed clinical RDS. All of these were delivered at between 28 and 33 weeks, associated with neonatal asphyxia. Three perinatal factors were significantly associated with the development of clinical RDS in comparison with the control group of non-RDS preterm neonates. These were neonatal asphyxia, maternal bleeding (greater than 500 ml) and no prenatal steroid administration.     

重度子(癎)前期并发腹水的临床特点和终止妊娠时机的探讨

目的 探讨重度子(癎)前期并发腹水的临床特点及终止妊娠时机. 方法 对179例重度子(癎)前期患者的临床资料进行回顾性分析,根据有无并发腹水分为腹水组(32例)和非腹水组(147例),分析两组孕妇一般情况、分娩方式、合并症/并发症(包括子(癎)、HELLP综合征、肝肾功能不全、心功能不全、低蛋白血症、胎盘早剥、产后出血、产褥感染).收集两组围产儿(腹水组38例,无腹水组157例)的临床资料,分别比较两组间和腹水组内胎龄＜32周,32周～,34周～,36周～组的小于胎龄儿(small for gestational age,SGA)的发生率和死亡率. 结果 (1)腹水组平均入院孕周和平均分娩孕周均早于无腹水组[入院:(32.5±2.1)周和(36.1±3.5)周,分娩:(34.1±2.3)周和(37.2±1.5)周,P均＜0.05).腹水组系统产前检查率低于无腹水组(25.0%和53.7%,P＜0.05).腹水组低蛋白血症(100.0%和47.0%)、肝肾功能不全(31.2%和8.2%)、HELLP综合征(9.4%和2.0%)、产后出血发生率(18.8%和2.0%)均高于无腹水组(P均＜0.05).(2)腹水组不同胎龄围产儿SGA发生率均高于同胎龄无腹水组,但仅胎龄＞36周组差异有统计学意义(7/9和30.2%,P＜0.05).腹水组胎龄＜32周和32周～围产儿死亡率高于无腹水组(＜32周:69.2%和19.2%,P＜0.05;32周～:2/7和0,P＜0.05).(3)腹水组内围产儿胎龄＜32周时围产儿死亡率较其他胎龄组高,胎龄＞36周围产儿SGA发生率最高(P＜0.05). 结论 重度子(癎)前期并发腹水发病早,并发症多,母婴预后不佳.腹水是重度子(癎)前期的一个危险信号,应该引起产科医生的高度重视.对于重度子(癎)前期并发腹水围产儿,32～36周可能为终止妊娠的良好时机.     

Severe Preeclampsia-Maternal and Fetal Outcome

Ninety patients with severe preeclampsia were reviewed. There was one maternal mortality and two patients who developed pulmonary edema. The corrected perinatal mortality rate was 143/1000. Epidural anesthesia did not adversely affect fetal outcome. Perinatal morbidity and mortality was mainly related to the development of neonatal respiratory distress syndrome (RDS).

Twenty-three neonates developed respiratory distress syndrome (RDS). RDS was strongly associated (p <. 001) with gestational age. RDS was not associated with mode of delivery, sex or perinatal asphyxia.     

Early-onset preeclampsia and neonatal outcomes

Objective.?To evaluate the neonatal outcomes of infants delivered to mothers with early-onset preeclampsia.

Study design.?This is a retrospective cohort of 1709 infants delivered at 24 0/7 to 29 6/7 weeks gestation was examined. Neonatal outcomes of 235 infants delivered prematurely because of preeclampsia were compared with 1474 infants delivered preterm because of other etiologies. Primary outcomes examined included: small for gestational age (SGA), respiratory distress syndrome (RDS), and neonatal death (NND). Multivariable logistic regression was used to analyze the association between preeclampsia and the neonatal outcomes, controlling for potential confounders.

Results.?Infants of women with preeclampsia were more likely to be SGA (17.8% vs. 5.6%, AOR 3.9, CI 2.5–6.2) and have RDS (70.6% vs. 60.7%, AOR 1.5, 95% CI 1.1–2.2); however, they were less likely to suffer a NND (11.1% vs. 18.1%, AOR 0.6, 95% CI 0.4–0.9).

Conclusion.?Compared with neonates delivered prematurely because of other etiologies, neonates born to preeclamptic mothers were more likely to be SGA and have RDS, but had a decrease in mortality. This may be a reflection of the differences in the underlying pathophysiology behind indicated preterm birth due to preeclampsia.     

Late normalisation of uterine artery velocimetry in high risk pregnancy

OBJECTIVE: To test whether late normalisation of abnormal uterine velocimetry is a favourable prognostic factor in high risk pregnancies. STUDY DESIGN: Uterine artery colour Doppler velocimetry was performed at 24, 28-30 and 32-34 weeks in 282 high risk pregnancies treated with low dose aspirin. RESULTS: 88 patients had abnormal waveforms at 24 weeks and 77 delivered after the second assessment at 28 weeks. Of these, 38 (49%) had a normalisation of Doppler indices by 34 weeks. Compared with the persistently abnormal Doppler group, these patients delivered fewer small for gestational age babies (5/38 versus 26/39; p=0.0001) and had less gestational hypertension without proteinuria (3/38 versus 15/39; p=0.004). No patients with preeclampsia or other severe complications of pregnancy were observed in the normalised group. CONCLUSIONS: Although abnormal uterine artery velocimetry at 24 weeks is predictive of adverse pregnancy outcome, nearly half have late normalisation of the Doppler indices and a better perinatal outcome. Persistently abnormal waveforms are related to the worst pregnancy outcome.     

Corticosteroid therapy for prevention of respiratory distress syndrome in severe preeclampsia.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of the study was to determine the efficacy and side effects of corticosteroid therapy for pregnant women with severe preeclampsia in the prevention of respiratory distress syndrome in their premature neonates. STUDY DESIGN: A prospective double-blind randomized trial enrolled 218 pregnant women with severe preeclampsia and gestational age between 26 and 34 weeks. One hundred ten received betamethasone (12 mg administered intramuscularly, repeated after 24 hours and then once a week) and 108 received placebo. Relative risks and 95% confidence intervals of respiratory distress syndrome and other neonatal and maternal complications were calculated for corticosteroid use. RESULTS: Frequency of respiratory distress syndrome was significantly reduced in the corticosteroid group (23%) with respect to the placebo group (43%), with a relative risk of 0.53 (95% confidence interval 0.35-0. 82). Relative risks of intraventricular hemorrhage, patent ductus arteriosus, and perinatal infection were significantly decreased in the corticosteroid group: 0.35 (95% confidence interval 0.15-0.86), 0.27 (95% confidence interval 0.08-0.95), and 0.39 (95% confidence interval 0.39-0.97), respectively. There was no significant difference in the frequency of stillbirth, but the neonatal mortality rate was lower in the corticosteroid group (14%) than in the placebo group (28%), with a relative risk of 0.5 (95% confidence interval 0.28-0.89). There was increased risk of gestational diabetes but of no other maternal complication after corticosteroid therapy, and mean blood pressures were similar in the 2 groups. CONCLUSIONS: Antenatal corticosteroid therapy with betamethasone for acceleration of fetal lung maturity is a safe and efficient treatment in patients with severe preeclampsia at between 26 and 34 weeks' gestation.     

Expectant management of severe preeclampsia remote from term: patient selection, treatment, and delivery indications

Severe preeclampsia that develops at <34 weeks of gestation is associated with high perinatal mortality and morbidity rates. Management with immediate delivery leads to high neonatal mortality and morbidity rates and prolonged hospitalization in the neonatal intensive care unit because of prematurity. Conversely, attempts to prolong pregnancy with expectant management may result in fetal death or asphyxial damage in utero and increased maternal morbidity. Since 1990, 2 randomized trials and several observational studies have evaluated the benefits vs risks of expectant management of severe preeclampsia at <34 weeks of gestation. These studies included 1677 women with gestational age between 24 and 34 weeks and 115 women with gestational age of <25 weeks (overlap in some studies). The results of these studies suggest that expectant treatment in a select group of women with severe preeclampsia between 24 0/7 and 32 6/7 weeks of gestation in a suitable hospital is safe and improves neonatal outcome. For gestational age of <24 0/7 weeks, expectant treatment was associated with high maternal morbidity with limited perinatal benefit. Based on the review of these studies and our own experience, recommendations are made for the selection of the appropriate candidates for expectant treatment, criteria for maternal-fetal monitoring, and targets for delivery. Finally, we provide information regarding maternal counseling based on maternal condition and fetal gestational age at time of diagnosis.