Is low-dose aspirin therapy to prevent preeclampsia more efficacious in non-obese women or when initiated early in pregnancy?

Objective: Late timing of intervention and maternal obesity are potential explanations for the modest effect of aspirin for preeclampsia prevention. We explored whether low-dose aspirin (LDA) is more effective in women at increased risk when initiated before 16 weeks' gestation or given to non-obese women.

Methods: Secondary analysis of a trial to evaluate LDA (60?mg/d) for preeclampsia prevention in high-risk women. Participants were randomized to LDA or placebo between 13 and 26 weeks. We stratified the effect of LDA on preeclampsia by (a) timing of randomization (Results: Of 2503 women, 461 (18.4%) initiated LDA?p value for interaction?=?0.87). Similarly, LDA effect was not better in non-obese (RR: 0.91, 95% CI: 0.7–1.13) versus obese women (RR: 0.89, 95% CI: 0.7–1.13), (p value for interaction?=?0.85).

Conclusion: LDA for preeclampsia prevention was not more effective when initiated 相似文献   

Impact of early supplementation with low-dose aspirin on functional first trimester parameters in low-risk pregnancies

Introduction: There is recent evidence that prophylaxis with 150?mg of aspirin given before 14–16 weeks significantly reduces preeclampsia rates and may improve pregnancy outcome. We conducted an observational study that investigates the effect of low-dose aspirin initiated early in pregnancy or in preconception on functional parameters assessed at 11–14 weeks.

Materials and methods: We have retrospectively selected 128 pregnant women that presented for the first trimester screening for aneuploidies between 11⁺⁰ and 13⁺⁶ weeks of gestation and received low-dose aspirin before 14 weeks. We excluded cases with an estimated high risk for early preeclampsia (cut-off?>?1:100). This group was matched to 1044 cases that did not receive aspirin in early pregnancy. We have selected for statistical analysis maternal parameters, ultrasound parameters (crown-rump length, nuchal translucency thickness, pulsatility index in uterine arteries – left, right, average and average uterine PI expressed in multiple of median (MoM)), first trimester maternal biochemical markers (free β hCG and PAPP-A expressed in MoM), and the calculated risk for early onset and late onset preeclampsia.

Results: The most common dosages of aspirin were 75?mg (77 cases) and 100?mg (32 cases). The most significant results are within the aspirin group. In the subgroup that received aspirin before 11 weeks (110 cases), irrespective of the dosage, the uterine blood flow is significantly improved (average uterine PI 1.7 compared with 2.22, p?p?>?.05, [(?0.65)???0.02] 95% CI). The estimated risk for both early and late onset preeclampsia in this group is reduced (1:2141 compared with 1:333 for early preeclampsia, p?p?Conclusion: Even though the results are not always statistically significant, they demonstrate that placentation parameters improve with higher doses of aspirin started before 11 weeks.     

Maternal cytoglobin (CYGB) serum levels in normal and preeclamptic pregnancies

Objective: To investigate cytoglobin levels in women with preeclampsia and women with uncomplicated pregnancies.

Materials and methods: A cross-sectional study including 26 pregnant women complicated with early-onset preeclampsia (EO-PE) and 26 pregnant women complicated with late-onset preeclampsia (LO-PE) were recruited for the study group. Twenty-seven healthy pregnant women selected randomly were included in the control group. The serum CYGB concentrations were measured using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

Results: Gestational age at delivery and mean birth weight were significantly lower in the preeclampsia groups than in the control group and were found to be the lowest in the EO-PE group (p?p?p?=?1.000).

Conclusions: Serum CYGB levels were significantly higher in patients with EO-PE and LO-PE as compared to healthy pregnant women.     

Aspirin or heparin or both in the treatment of recurrent spontaneous abortion in women with antiphospholipid antibody syndrome: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

Objective: This study was designed to evaluate the efficacy of aspirin or heparin or both in the treatment for recurrent spontaneous abortion (RSA) in women with antiphospholipid antibody syndrome (APS).

Methods: Systematic searches for randomized clinical trials (RCTs) evaluating on live birth and preterm delivery, preeclampsia, intrauterine growth restriction, gestational diabetes, bleeding of RSA with APS patients receiving aspirin, and heparin therapy were carried out, from PubMed, EMBASE, ScienceDirect, and CNKI. Related data were extracted from eligible studies and then subjected to Reviewer Manage 5.3 for analysis. Relative risk (RR) and its 95% confidence interval were calculated.

Results: Nineteen publications with randomized controlled trials were selected for this study, which included a total of 1251 pregnant patients with diagnosis of RSA with APS. With respect to live birth, it was remarkably improved in aspirin plus heparin or heparin alone group [RR?=1.23, 95% CI (1.12–1.36), p?p?=?.02]; aspirin alone group, however, there was no statistically significant difference compare to placebo [RR?=?0.97, 95% CI (0.80–1.16), p?=?.71]. Meanwhile, aspirin plus heparin therapy did not significantly reduce the risk of recurrent placenta-mediated pregnancy complications including preterm birth, intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR), gestational diabetes, and minor bleeding. A beneficial therapeutic effect of heparin alone therapy was found on preventing preterm birth and low-dose aspirin plus heparin therapy was significant reduce the risk of preeclampsia.

Conclusion: An improvement of pregnancy outcomes in women with RSA and APS can be achieved by treatment strategies combining low-dose aspirin plus heparin or heparin alone. Aspirin alone, by contrast, seemed inferior to other treatments in achieving more live birth.     

5-Methyl-tetrahydrofolate in prevention of recurrent preeclampsia

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of 5-methyl-tetrahydrofolate (5-MTHF) supplementation in prevention of recurrent preeclampsia.

Methods: Retrospective cohort of women who received daily oral 5-MTHF 15?mg supplementation as prophylactic treatment since first trimester for recurrent preeclampsia were compared with women who did not. All asymptomatic singleton gestations with prior preeclampsia (in the previous pregnancy) were included. Women with chronic hypertension were excluded. The primary outcome was the incidence of preeclampsia.

Results: Three hundred and three singleton gestation met the inclusion criteria: 157 received 5-MTHF, while 146 did not (control group). Women who received 5-MTHF had a significantly lower incidence of recurrent overall preeclampsia (21.7% versus 39.7%; odds ratio (OR) 0.57, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.25, 0.69), severe preeclampsia (3.2% versus 8.9%; OR 0.44, 95% CI 0.12–0.97) and early-onset preeclampsia (1.9% versus 7.5%; OR 0.34, 95% CI 0.07–0.87) compared to control. The intervention group delivered about 10?d after the control and had higher birth weight.

Conclusion: This retrospective study showed that women with prior preeclampsia who received daily oral 5-MTHF 15?mg supplementation had a significantly lower incidence of overall preeclampsia, severe preeclampsia and early-onset preeclampsia. Randomized controlled trials are needed to confirm our findings.     

The association between maternal race and adverse outcomes in twin pregnancies with similar healthcare access

Objective: To compare twin pregnancy outcomes between white and nonwhite women with similar access to health care.

Methods: Retrospective cohort study of all twin pregnancies delivered by a single maternal–fetal medicine practice from 2005–2016. All patients had private health insurance and equal access to physician care. Outcomes were compared between white and nonwhite women using logistic regression to adjust for differences at baseline.

Results: Of the 858 women included, 730 (85.1%) were white and 128 (14.9%) were nonwhite. Univariate analysis demonstrated that nonwhite women had higher rates of preterm birth <32 weeks (12.5 versus 6.7%, p?=?.022), cesarean delivery (78.1% versus 61.4% of all women, p?p?p?=?.029) and gestational diabetes (23.2% versus 7.3%, p?Conclusions: Nonwhite women with twin pregnancies have an increased risk of adverse outcomes that cannot be explained by access to care. Although improving access to care is an important goal for health care systems, our data suggest that this alone will not eliminate all disparities in health care outcomes between women of different races.     

Effect of aspirin in prevention of adverse pregnancy outcome in women with elevated alpha-fetoprotein

Abstract

Background: To evaluate the effect of low-dose aspirin in prevention of adverse pregnancy outcomes (APO) in women with second trimester alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) >2.5 multiple of median (MOM) and to compare aspirin effect on women with normal and abnormal uterine artery (UtA) Doppler. The primary outcome was the adverse pregnancy outcome.

Methods: This randomized controlled trial was conducted in singleton pregnant women, who had unexplained AFP >2.5 MOM and gestational age between 15 and 18 weeks of gestation. They were assigned randomly to receive either aspirin (N?=?65) or control (N?=?68). UtA Doppler velocimetry studies were performed at the time of targeted ultrasonographic exam.

Results: Two groups were comparable regarding the maternal characteristics. The frequency of APO in aspirin and control groups were 26.1% versus 44.1% (p?=?0.045), the frequency of preterm delivery before 34 weeks were 3.2% versus 22.0% in aspirin and control group, p?=?0.001. Other outcomes were similar in both groups. The frequency of adverse outcomes in women with abnormal UtA Doppler was 39.1% in aspirin and 60.0% in control group, p?=?0.556.

Conclusion: Low-dose aspirin reduces APO and delivery before 34 weeks of gestation in pregnant women with unexplained elevated AFP.     

Evaluation of maternal serum hypoxia inducible factor-1α, progranulin and syndecan-1 levels in pregnancies with early- and late-onset preeclampsia

Objective: To determine the serum levels of HIF-1 α, progranulin, and syndecan-1 in preeclampsia (PE) and normal pregnancy, and to compare whether these markers demonstrate any difference between early-onset PE (EO-PE) and late-onset PE (LO-PE).

Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 27 women with EO-PE, 27 women with LO-PE, and 26 healthy normotensive pregnant controls matched for gestational age. Maternal levels of serum HIF-1 α, progranulin, and syndecan-1 were measured with the use of an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kit.

Results: Statistical analysis revealed significant differences between the control and the PE groups in progranulin (p?p?<.001) levels. There were no significant differences in the serum HIF-1 α levels between these groups (p=?.069). When PE patients were evaluated by considering subgroups; statistical analysis revealed significant inter-group differences in all biomarkers. Serum progranulin levels were significantly higher in LO-PE compared with the other two groups (EO-PE versus LO-PE and LO-PE versus controls p?=?.000). Control group presented significantly higher syndecan-1 levels, than EO and LO-PE (p?p=?.000).

Conclusions: Serum progranulin may have potential to be used as a biomarker for the differentiation of EO-PE and LO-PE. The co-operative action between HIF-1 α and progranulin might play a key role in the pathogenesis of LO-PE. The predominant feature of LO-PE seems to be an inflammatory process, whereas in EO-PE placentation problem seems to be the main pathology.     

Clinical significance of pregnancy in adolescence in Japan

Objective: We examined the clinical characteristics and obstetric outcomes in adolescent pregnancies in Japanese women.

Methods: The present study was a retrospective investigation of all primiparous Japanese women with singleton pregnancies who gave birth at ≥22 weeks’ gestation aged ≤18 years old (adolescent pregnancy, n?=?325) and aged 28–30 years old (n?=?2029) at Japanese Red Cross, Katsushika Maternity Hospital between 2002 and 2016.

Results: The frequencies of smoking, economic problems, an unmarried single status at delivery and the start of prenatal care in the first trimester in the adolescent pregnancy group were significantly higher than in the control group (p?Chlamydia trachomatis, Condyloma acuminatum, and mental disorders in the adolescent pregnancy group were significantly higher than in the control group (p?p?=?.02).

Conclusions: Adolescent pregnancy was not associated with adverse obstetric outcomes; however, adequate social, economic, and mental support is needed for adolescent pregnant women.     

Improved pregnancy outcome following earlier splenectomy in women with immune thrombocytopenia: a 5-year observational study

Objective: To assess prospectively the maternal and fetal outcome in women with immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) who undergone earlier splenectomy compared to women on medical therapy.

Methods: A 5-year observational study included pregnant women in the first trimester previously diagnosed with primary ITP with 74 patients underwent splenectomy before pregnancy and 86 patients on medical therapy. Patients were followed throughout pregnancy and labour to record their obstetric outcome. Data were collected and tabulated.

Results: There was a higher platelet count in the splenectomy group at enrollment (p?p?p?p?p?p?p?p?p?Conclusion: Earlier splenectomy in patients with ITP may have a beneficial impact on obstetric outcome and should be explained to patients wishing to get pregnant. Further larger multicenter studies are warranted to confirm or refute our findings.     

Body mass index and the risk of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy: the great obstetrical syndromes (GOS) study

Objective: To estimate the association between first-trimester body mass index (BMI) and the different types of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP).

Methods: A prospective cohort of nulliparous women recruited at 11–13 weeks. Height and weight were measured and BMI was reported as binary (more or less than 30?kg/m²), categorical (World Health Organization classification), and continuous variables. Participants were followed for development of any HDP, including preeclampsia and preterm preeclampsia. Receiver operating characteristic curves and their area under the curve (AUC) were used along with multivariate logistic regressions to develop predictive models combining BMI with other maternal characteristics.

Results: We recruited 4683 eligible participants including 645 (14%) affected by obesity. Obesity was associated with greater risks of HDP (22.5 versus 8.5%, p?p?p?=?.006). BMI categories (AUC: 0.65; 95%CI: 0.56–0.74) and BMI combined with maternal characteristics (AUC: 0.76; 95%CI: 0.69–0.83) were better predictors of preterm preeclampsia than BMI as binary variable (AUC: 0.58; 95%CI: 0.50–0.66).

Conclusions: Obesity and BMI are associated with the risk of all types of HDP. Optimal prediction of preterm preeclampsia is achieved by using BMI as a continuous variable combined with other maternal characteristics.     

Higher levels of thyrotropin in pregnancy and adverse pregnancy outcomes

Objective: To determine the frequency of subclinical hypothyroidism in women with pathological pregnancies and the association between elevated thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) and pregnancy outcome.

Subjects and methods: A cross-sectional prospective study investigated value of TSH and free thyroxine (FT4) in (1) pregnant women with hypertension (HTA) (N?=?62) or preeclampsia (PE) (N?=?50), (2) women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) (N?=?92) in pregnancy, and (3) women with normal pregnancies (control) (N?=?201). The level of statistical significance was set at p?Results: Of the total 404 respondents, the highest incidence of subclinical hypothyroidism was in the group with preeclampsia 22%, followed HTA group 9.6%; GDM group 10.9% and in the control group 9% (p?p?3?mIU/L (p?=?.003). There were no differences in the average TSH value between GDM (1.93?±?1.03?mIU/L) and control group (p?=?.962).

Conclusions: Early detection and optimal treatment of thyroid dysfunction before and in the first trimester of pregnancy reduces the risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes.     

Magnesium sulphate can prolong pregnancy in patients with severe early-onset preeclampsia

Objective: To assess whether long-term use of magnesium sulphate prolongs pregnancy in patients with severe early-onset preeclampsia.

Methods: Retrospective cohort study included all singleton pregnancies with severe early-onset preeclampsia, expectantly managed in our institution between 2005 and 2013. Obstetric and perinatal outcomes were compared between patients managed using a current protocol that tolerates long-term (over 48 h) use of magnesium sulphate (long-term group, n?=?26) and a historical control group (control group, n?=?15) that underwent conventional treatment (up to 48 h use of magnesium sulphate).

Results: Long-term group showed significant prolongation of pregnancy compared with the control group (9.2?±?7.9 versus 16.6?±?9.3 d, log-rank test, p?=?0.021), which was also observed in patients with severe preeclampsia occurring before 28 weeks’ gestation (n?=?11, 4.5?±?5.2 versus 13.2?±?6.8 d, log-rank test, p?=?0.035). In contrast to a progressive decrease of platelet count in patients managed without magnesium sulphate, administration of magnesium sulphate for 7 d prevented the decrease of platelet count (p?=?0.001). Thirty two percent of patients (13/41) experienced a major complication irrespective of duration of magnesium sulphate use.

Conclusions: Long-term use of magnesium sulphate prolonged pregnancy in patients with severe early-onset preeclampsia and can help alleviate progression of preeclampsia.     

Maternal serum autotaxin levels in early- and late-onset preeclampsia

Purpose: We aimed to compare the serum autotaxin levels in early- and late- preeclamptic and healthy pregnant patients at a university hospital.

Methods: A total of 55 singleton preeclamptic women who delivered at Cerrahpasa Medical Faculty were included in the study. The patients were subdivided into two groups: early-onset preeclampsia (n = 31) and late-onset preeclampsia (n = 24). Demographic and clinical data were compared between early-onset and late-onset preeclamptic patients. The control group was composed of 32 healthy pregnant patients.

Results: The mean autotaxin levels were 1.16 ± 0.97 and 0.7 ± 0.35 ng/ml in the early- and late-onset preeclampsia groups, respectively. Autotaxin levels were significantly higher in early-onset preeclampsia group compared with late-onset preeclampsia group. Autotaxin levels were found to be significantly higher in preeclamptic patients compared with control group. Serum autotaxin levels showed a significant positive correlation with maternal systolic, diastolic blood pressures and uric acid levels.

Conclusion: Autotaxin might be a promising marker for detecting early-onset preeclampsia. However, further studies are necessary to confirm this hypothesis.     

Prophylaxis of Recurrent Preeclampsia: Low-Molecular-Weight Heparin plus Low-Dose Aspirin versus Low-Dose Aspirin Alone

Objective: To verify whether prophylaxis with low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH) and low-dose aspirin (LDA) could positively affect pregnancy outcome in women with a history of severe preeclampsia. Methods: We compared 23 pregnancies treated with LDA alone to 31 pregnancies treated with LMWH plus LDA. Results: Women treated with LMWH-LDA (n = 31) showed a better pregnancy outcome than those treated with LDA alone (n = 23) in terms of gestational age at delivery (p < 0.05), birth weight (p < 0.01), birth weight percentile (p < 0.01), and rate of preeclampsia (p < 0.01). Furthermore, comparing the intra-group outcome variation between previous and index pregnancies, an improvement appeared in each group, but a more pronounced gain was noted in the LMWH-LDA group in terms of gestational age at delivery (p< 0.005), birth weight (p < 0.005), and birth weight percentile (p < 0.005). Conclusions: Thromboprophylaxis with LMWH plus LDA can improve pregnancy outcome in women with previous severe preeclampsia.     

Combined Doppler ultrasound and platelet indices for prediction of preeclampsia in high-risk pregnancies

Abstract

Objectives: To evaluate Doppler ultrasound and platelet indices for the prediction of preeclampsia (PE).

Design: Prospective observational study.

Methods: The study included 270 normal pregnancy primigravida <20?years at 20–24-week gestation. Doppler ultrasound was done to detect uterine artery diastolic notch and to measure the pulsation index (PI) and the resistance index (RI). The platelet count (PC), mean platelet volume (MPV), platelet distribution width (PDW) and platelet large cell ratio (Plcr) was measured by automated blood picture.

Outcome: Validity of combined tests in prediction of PE.

Results: Patients who developed PE had significant higher percentage of diastolic notch, higher mean PI, RI, and significant increase of MPV and PDW than normotensive women (p?<?.001). Patients with abnormal Doppler and abnormal platelet indices had significant higher incidence of severe PE (p?<?.001).

Conclusion: Abnormal platelet indices combined with abnormal Doppler is a predictor of severity rather than the rate of development of PE.     

A Pilot Randomized Trial Comparing the Effects of 80 versus 160 mg of Aspirin on Midtrimester Uterine Artery Pulsatility Index in Women with a History of Preeclampsia

ObjectiveTo compare the effects of 80 mg and 160 mg of aspirin, initiated in the first trimester of pregnancy, on mid-trimester uterine artery pulsatility index (UtA-PI) in women with a history of preeclampsia.MethodsWe performed a pilot double-blind randomized controlled trial. Pregnant women with a history of preeclampsia were recruited between 10^0/7 and 13^6/7 weeks gestation and randomly assigned to take either 80 or 160 mg of aspirin daily at bedtime from randomization to 35^6/7 weeks gestation. The primary outcome was mean UtA-PI at 22–24 weeks. Secondary outcomes included the rate of fetal growth restriction and preeclampsia, stratified as term (≥37 weeks), preterm (<37 weeks), and early-onset (<34 weeks) preeclampsia.ResultsA total of 107 participants were randomized, including 41 (38%) with a history of preterm preeclampsia and 16 (15%) with a history of early-onset preeclampsia. We observed no significant difference in mean UtA-PI at 22–24 weeks between the 2 groups (0.97; 95% CI 0.88–1.05 vs. 0.97; 95% CI 0.88–1.07, P = 0.9). The rates of fetal growth restriction (8% vs. 2%; P = 0.20); preeclampsia (12% vs. 15%; P = 0.78), preterm preeclampsia (4% vs. 2%; P = 0.56), and early-onset preeclampsia (0% vs. 2%; P = 0.52) were similar in both groups. No serious adverse events associated with the study treatment were reported.ConclusionWe observed no significant difference in UtA-PI between the two doses of aspirin, but we observed low rates of fetal growth restriction and preterm and early-onset preeclampsia (all less than 5%). The benefits of aspirin for the prevention of preterm preeclampsia is probably not related to the improvement of deep placentation alone.     

Relationship between advanced glycation end products and gestational diabetes mellitus

Objective: To investigate the levels of and dynamic changes of advanced glycation end products (AGEs) in maternal plasma during pregnancy and explore the association between these levels and gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM).

Methods: This study recruited 90 GDM women and 90 healthy pregnant controls. The women received prenatal care and were hospitalized for delivery in Peking University First Hospital in China between October 2015 and April 2016. The patients were recruited and provided blood samples during gestational weeks 24–29. The levels of AGEs, TNF-α, hs-CRP, plasma glucose, and FINS and lipid profiles were measured, and HOMA-IR was calculated. New blood samples were collected and AGE was measured again in the two groups at 33–41 weeks of gestation to identify its dynamic changes.

Results: The levels of AGEs were significantly higher in the GDM group than in the NGT group at both 24–29 weeks (473.65?±?105.32 versus 324.36?±?57.86?ng/L; p?p?p?p?=?.003), TNF-α (p?=?.005), and hs-CRP (p?p?=?.001). In the NGT group, there was no significant change in the concentration of AGEs between the two gestational periods (p?=?.388).

Conclusions: Plasma levels of AGEs are associated with GDM. During pregnancy, the changes observed in the levels of AGEs were different between GDM and normal pregnancies.     

Serum collectrin levels in patients with early- and late-onset preeclampsia

Aim: The aim of this study is to investigate the maternal levels of collectrin in early-onset preeclampsia (EOPE) and late-onset preeclampsia (LOPE). To assess the correlation between serum collectrin levels and blood pressure in humans.

Material and methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted including 79 pregnant women, 27 with normal pregnancy, 30 with EOPE and 22 with LOPE. Maternal serum levels of collectrin were measured by using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kits.

Results: The mean serum collectrin level was significantly lower in women with PE compared with the control group (8.49?±?3.12?ng/ml (EOPE), 9.69?±?3.01?ng/ml (LOPE) versus 11.51?±?4.33?ng/ml) and was found to be the lowest in the EOPE group (8.49?±?3.12?ng/ml). The mean serum urea and uric acid levels were significantly higher in the PE group than the control group. Serum collectrin concentrations did not correlate with maternal age, BMI and serum creatinine levels. However, collectrin concentrations were negatively correlated with systolic blood pressure (r?=??0.284, p?=?.011) and diastolic blood pressure (r?=??0.275, p?=?.014) as well as with maternal serum urea (r?=??0.269, p?=?.017) and uric acid (r?=??0.219, p?=?.049) concentrations.

Conclusion: Maternal serum collectrin levels are significantly lower in patients with preeclampsia than in the control group. There is an inverse correlation between serum collectrin levels and blood pressure.     

Comparison of clinical and laboratory findings in early- and late-onset preeclampsia

Abstract

Objective: To compare clinical and laboratory findings between the early-onset preeclampsia (EOP) and late-onset preeclampsia (LOP).

Methods: This prospective longitudinal study was performed at a tertiary referral university clinic. All patients meeting the inclusion criteria were divided into two groups, the EOP group and the LOP group, according to gestational age at the onset of disease. The distinction criterion for early versus late onset was set as week 34 of gestation. Clinical and laboratory findings, and maternal–perinatal outcomes were compared between the groups.

Results: A total of 157 patients with preeclampsia were included. A significant difference was observed between the groups in terms of diagnosis and severity of the disease (p?=?0.007 and <0.001, respectively). The history of previous preeclampsia, diastolic blood pressure and hourly urine output on admission to the hospital were significantly different between the groups (p?=?0.016, 0.018 and 0.024, respectively). Latent period for delivery and postpartum hospitalization time were longer in the EOP group than in the LOP group (p?=?0.024 and 0.002, respectively). The patients with EOP received betamethazone (p?<?0.001) and MgSO₄ (p?=?0.029) more frequently. Neonatal characteristics such as birth weight, low APGAR score and admission to neonatal intensive care unit were significantly different between the groups (p?<?0.001, for all variables). Total proteinuria at 24?h was found significantly higher in the EOP group than in the LOP group (p?=?0.012).

Conclusion: The results confirmed the opinion that EOP is a distinct and more severe clinical entity than LOP. In particular, higher proteinuria is associated with EOP.