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.     

早发型重度子癎前期的临床特点和治疗探讨

目的探讨早发型重度子癎前期的临床特点及治疗。方法对温州医学院附属第一医院妇产科2002-01-2004-12收治的179例重度子癎前期患者(其中早发型43例,即24~34孕周发病者;晚发型136例,即≥34孕周发病者)及其新生儿210例进行回顾性分析,观察指标包括一般情况、并发症/合并症及母婴结局。结果早发型重度子癎前期患者分娩孕周较晚发型早(P<0·01)、治疗时间较晚发型长(P<0·05),其临床症状及并发症/合并症较晚发型严重,母婴结局明显较晚发型差。结论早发型重度子癎前期病情严重,围生儿预后不佳,应根据母胎情况,严格选择病例进行保守治疗,同时密切监测母胎病情变化。     

The outcome of pregnancy with new onset proteinuria without hypertension: retrospective observational study

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate preeclampsia progression of isolated proteinuria and associations with pregnancy outcome.

Method: We performed a retrospective analysis in patients who were hospitalized for evaluation of new onset proteinuria without hypertension after 20 weeks of gestation between January 2012 and January 2014. One hundred fifty-seven patients who met the inclusion criteria were enrolled the study.

Results: After detection of new onset proteinuria, 53 of 157 (33.7%) patients developed preeclampsia and the incidence of gestational proteinuria was found to be 0.33%. Twenty-four hours urine proteinuria testing results were significantly higher in preeclampsia (PE) group compared with the gestational proteinuria (GP) group (p?<?0.01). Patients who developed preeclampsia delivered significantly earlier than the GP group (p?<?0.01). The weights of the infants born to mothers in the PE group were significantly lower than the other group (p?<?0.01).

Conclusion: The incidence of gestational proteinuria was lower than the previous studies. Preeclampsia developed in 33% of patients with new onset proteinuria in pregnancy. In patients who developed PE had significantly higher proteinuria, lower delivery time and birth weight in their infants. Therefore, patients with new onset proteinuria should be followed-up for preeclampsia development and associated morbidities.     

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.     

Effect of early use of low-dose aspirin therapy on late-onset preeclampsia

Objective: Low-dose aspirin (LDA) therapy has been found to be effective in preventing the development of early-onset preeclampsia. However, its effect on late-onset preeclampsia has not been described. Our study was aimed at determining if LDA therapy prescribed from early in pregnancy modified the severity of late-onset preeclampsia.

Materials and methods: A retrospective analysis of all women who were screened for early-onset preeclampsia at 11–13⁺⁶ weeks’ gestation between April 2012 and October 2014 at our institution, and who subsequently developed late-onset preeclampsia. The treatment group consisted of women who were prescribed LDA therapy from early in pregnancy as a result of the screening. The control group consisted of women who did not receive LDA therapy.

Results: The aspirin group was associated with earlier delivery at 38.0 (37.5–38.5) weeks’ gestation versus 39.0 (38.7–39.4) weeks’ gestation for the nonaspirin group (p?p?p?=?.62]. No other significant difference was noted.

Conclusions: There was no difference in the clinical severity of late-onset preeclampsia between women screened as high risk for early-onset preeclampsia and subsequently prescribed LDA during their pregnancy, compared to women found to be at low risk and not prescribed LDA.     

Increased oxidant generation in the metabolism of hypoxanthine to uric acid and endothelial dysfunction in early-onset and late-onset preeclamptic women

Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the association of vascular endothelial dysfunction with increased oxidant generation in the metabolism of hypoxanthine to uric acid in early-onset compared to late-onset preeclampsia. Methods: We investigated 12 women with early-onset preeclampsia, 14 women with late-onset preeclampsia, and 20 women with uncomplicated pregnancies. We measured serum derivatives of reactive oxygen metabolites (d-ROMs) as a marker of oxygen free radicals, serum biological antioxidant potential (BAP), hypoxanthine, uric acid, uric acid clearance (CUA), and flow-mediated vasodilation (FMD) as a marker of endothelial function in preeclamptic women. Results: Concentration of d-ROMs was significantly higher in both preeclamptic groups compared to the control group. Plasma levels of uric acid were significantly elevated in both preeclamptic groups compared to the control group. Plasma levels of hypoxanthine were significantly higher in early-onset preeclamptic women compared to controls, but not in late-onset preeclamptic women. CUA was significantly lower in late-onset preeclamptic women compared to controls, but not in early-onset preeclamptic women. The concentrations of hypoxanthine and uric acid correlated positively with the concentration of d-ROMs in all pregnant women. FMD was significantly lower in both preeclamptic groups compared with controls, but FMD in the early-onset preeclamptic group was significantly lower than in the late-onset preeclamptic group. Conclusions: We found that increased oxidant generation during metabolism of hypoxanthine to uric acid may impair endothelial function in early-onset preeclampsia.     

Incidence and natural history of preeclampsia/eclampsia at the university maternity of Antananarivo,Madagascar: high prevalence of the early-onset condition

Objectives: To investigate the incidence of early???(delivery <34 weeks) (EOP) versus late-onset (delivery ≥34 weeks) (LOP) in Madagascar.

Study design: Eight months observational study of all preeclamptic/eclamptic women delivering at the maternity of the University Hospital of Befelatanana, Antananarivo, Madagascar. Sociodemographical and obstetrical risk factors are analyzed.

Results: Over the study period, we found 142 combined preeclampsia/eclampsia among 4316 births (incidence 3.3% for singleton pregnancies), of which 65 eclampsia (1.5% of all deliveries). The rate of delivery <34 weeks of gestation in preeclamptic women was 37.3% and 38.5% in eclamptic ones. The overall rate of fetal and neonatal mortality was of 50% (71/142). In EO forms the infant death rate was 83% (44/53), of which approximately 33% were due to intrauterine fetal death. In LO forms, the infant death rate was 20% in preeclampsia (15% of fetal deaths), while in case of maternal eclamptic seizures the infant mortality rate was doubled (40%). There were seven maternal deaths (of which four were eclamptic women).

Conclusions: We have in Madagascar a high rate of early-onset preeclampsia/eclampsia EOP (37% versus approximately 10% in international literature) and a consequent worrying rate of maternal–fetal mortality. We could find other high incidence of EOP in nine other geographical locations: Guadeloupe (31%), Réunion (31%), Mauritius (34%), Cameroon (37.4%), China (38%), Zimbabwe (58%), Thailand (34%), Turkey (29%), and India (26%). Emerging and tropical countries may belong to the “high rate of EOP standard.” There is an urgent need to have additional data from these areas to confirm the hypothesis.     

Do the physiological aging of the placenta and the changes in angiogenesis marker sFlt-1 and PlGF concentrations predispose patients to late-onset preeclampsia?

Objective: Aging of the placenta is associated with natural processes that impair its functions. The processes are related to both oxidative stress exacerbation and the occurrence of higher concentrations of disordered angiogenesis markers. Both these types of processes are known to play roles in the development of preeclampsia. We attempted to show that natural ageing of the placenta can be one of the cofactors contributing to the development of late-onset preeclampsia.

Patients, materials and methods: 159 pregnant patients were divided into four groups: Two of preeclampsia patients and two of patients with physiological pregnancies, depending on the gestational age. For each group, disordered angiogenesis markers sFlt-1 and PlGF before and after 34 weeks of gestation and in particular stages of gestation were analyzed.

Results: Lower PlGF and sFlt-1/PlGF ratio values were found in cases of late-onset preeclampsia. In physiological pregnancies, sFlt-1 values were observed to increase and PlGF values to decrease with gestational age. An association was shown to exist between disordered angiogenesis markers and gestational age both in preeclampsia and physiological pregnancies.

Conclusions: (1) Analyses of disordered angiogenesis markers in early- and late-onset preeclampsia patients and patients with physiological pregnancies allow for a suggestion that natural “ageing of the placenta” and placental hypoperfusion lesions exacerbating with the advancing gestational age are some of the causes of late-onset preeclampsia. (2) Cases of early-onset preeclampsia are associated with more severe changes of disordered angiogenesis marker concentrations, which may be indicative of a more considerable impairment of placental perfusion in such patients. (3) In the course of the physiological pregnancy, there is a gradual increase in sFlt-1 and decrease in PlGF, which implies an elevated angiogenesis disorder that progresses with the gestational age.     

Relationship between ABO blood groups and preeclampsia

ABSTRACT

Objective

To investigate the relationship between ABO blood group and preeclampsia.Methods: A case-control study was conducted, including 230 and 460 women with and without preeclampsia. ABO blood groups were compared and associated factors for preeclampsia were determined.Results: Blood group O was significantly more common in early-onset and less common in late-onset preeclampsia. Regression analysis showed that blood group O decreased the risk of late-onset preeclampsia (aOR 0.63, 95%CI 0.42-0.93) but increased the risk of early-onset preeclampsia (aOR 1.97 95%CI 1.05-3.69).Conclusion: Blood group O decreased the risk of late-onset preeclampsia while it increased the risk of early-onset preeclampsia.     

A comparison of the diagnostic utility of the sFlt-1/PlGF ratio versus PlGF alone for the detection of preeclampsia/HELLP syndrome

Objective: The Elecsys^® immunoassay sFlt-1/PlGF ratio and the Triage^® PlGF assay were compared (in a prospective, multicenter, case-control study) for diagnosis of preeclampsia/hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, low platelets (HELLP) syndrome. Methods: Women in European perinatal care centers with singleton pregnancies were enrolled: 178 cases had confirmed preeclampsia and 391 controls had normal outcome. Patients in the preeclampsia/HELLP syndrome group were matched pairwise by gestational week to healthy controls (1:2). Maternal blood samples were analyzed using (a) fully automated Elecsys PlGF and Elecsys sFlt-1 immunoassays with two cutoffs (early-onset [<34 weeks] ≤33, ≥85; late-onset [≥34 weeks] ≤33, ≥110), and (b) Triage PlGF immunoassay (single cutoff). Diagnostic performance and utility were assessed. Results: Respectively, 83 and 95 women had early-onset or late-onset preeclampsia/HELLP syndrome. The overall diagnostic performance of the Elecsys immunoassay sFlt-1/PlGF ratio (area under the curve [AUC] 0.941) was higher than for Triage PlGF (AUC 0.917). The Elecsys immunoassay sFlt-1/PlGF ratio sensitivity and specificity was: 94.0% (95% confidence interval [CI] 86.5–98.0) and 99.4% (95% CI: 96.8–99.9) for early-onset preeclampsia; and 89.5% (95% CI: 81.5–94.8) and 95.4% (95% CI: 91.7–97.8) for late-onset preeclampsia. The Triage assay sensitivity and specificity was: 96.4% (95% CI: 89.8–99.3) and 88.5% (95% CI: 82.8–92.8) (early-onset); and 90.5% (95% CI: 83–96) and 64.5% (95% CI: 57.8–70.9) (late onset). Conclusions: The fully automated Elecsys immunoassay sFlt-1/PlGF ratio provides improved diagnostic utility over the Triage PlGF assay with improved specificity for the clinical management of pregnant women with suspected preeclampsia/HELLP syndrome.     

Comparison of interleukin-6 levels in maternal and umbilical cord blood in early- and late-onset preeclampsia

Purpose: Increased inflammatory response and cytokines are claimed to play a significant role in the etiology of preeclampsia. Interleukin-6 (IL-6) is a proinflammatory cytokine. Limited number of studies evaluating IL-6 levels in preeclamptic patients have produced conflicting results. Therefore, the present study sought to compare maternal and umbilical cord serum levels of IL-6 in early- and late-onset preeclamptic pregnancies as well as in normal pregnancies. Materials and methods: A total of 69 participants were enrolled in the study. The control group consisted of 24 participants with normal pregnancies. Preeclampsia group consisted of 45 participants. The preeclampsia group was further classified into the subgroups of early- and late-onset preeclampsia. Late-onset preeclampsia group consisted of 24 women whereas early-onset preeclampsia group consisted of 21 women. Serum and umbilical cord samples of IL-6 were compared. Results: There was no significant difference between maternal and umbilical cord serum IL-6 concentrations between the preeclampsia and control group. No significant difference was observed in maternal and umbilical cord serum IL-6 levels between early- and late-onset preeclampsia groups. Conclusion: Our results do not support an increase in IL-6 levels in patients with early- and late-onset preeclampsia. The clinical relevance of our findings needs to be further investigated.     

Comparison of serum selenium levels among hypertensive and normotensive pregnant women

Objective: To correlate serum selenium levels with hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP) in a selected population and evaluate this mineral as a possible protective factor. Methods: This case–control study included 32 normotensive, 20 hypertensive (chronic and gestational hypertension), and 38 preeclamptic pregnant women. All patients were recruited from antenatal or obstetric admissions of a tertiary hospital in Brazil. Serum selenium was measured at the time of inclusion. Patients were followed up until hospital discharge after delivery. Results: Groups did not differ with regard to maternal age, ethnicity, educational attainment, parity, or smoking prevalence. Normotensive patients had lower body mass index and were included in the study earlier. These patients also had a higher prevalence of comorbidities other than hypertension. Continuous use of medication and a history of HDP in previous pregnancies were more common in preeclamptic patients. Serum selenium levels were not significantly different between groups, with an average of 56.4 ± 15.3?μg/L in the control group, 53.2 ± 15.2?μg/L in the hypertension group, and 53.3 ± 16.8?μg/L in the preeclampsia group (p?=?0.67). Among patients with preeclampsia, 52.6% had the severe form. Serum selenium levels in these patients also did not differ significantly from those of controls (p?=?0.77). Preeclampsia was associated with earlier termination of pregnancy and lower birth weight (p?<?0.05). There were no significant differences across groups in other outcomes of interest. Conclusion: Serum selenium levels did not differ significantly between groups. Thus, we could not establish whether selenium is a protective factor against these conditions.     

The role of glutathione peroxidase maternal serum level in late onset of severe preeclampsia

Objective: This study was done to investigate the association between maternal serum glutathione peroxidase (GP) and late onset of severe preeclampsia. Methods: Cross-sectional study was undertaken comparing normal pregnancy and severe preeclampsia at 37–42 weeks of gestational age. Maternal venous blood was taken to assess the level of GP. Result: Twenty normal pregnancy and 20 severe preeclampsia patients were investigated. The median (max–min) of GP level for preeclampsia was 4.31 (0.03–327.41) mU/mL significantly lower than in normal pregnancy 318.90 (6.46–694.11) mU/mL (p < 0.001). A receiver operating characteristics (ROC) analysis showed that the cutoff point for GP to differentiate between normal pregnancy and severe preeclampsia was 41.74 mU/mL. Multivariate analysis was done to investigate the impact of BMI and parity showed that a low level of GP will increase the risk of severe preeclampsia. Conclusion: Low level of GP was associated with the diagnosis of severe preeclampsia.     

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.     

Placental miR-1301 is dysregulated in early-onset preeclampsia and inversely correlated with maternal circulating leptin

Introduction

miRNAs are small non-coding RNAs important for the regulation of mRNA in many organs including placenta. Adipokines and specifically leptin are known to be dysregulated in preeclampsia, but little is known regarding their regulation by miRNAs during pregnancy.

Methods

We performed high-throughput sequencing of small RNAs in placenta from 72 well-defined patients: 23 early-onset preeclampsia (PE), 26 late-onset PE and 23 controls. The regulation of some miRNAs was confirmed on qRT-PCR. Maternal circulating levels and placental mRNA of leptin, resistin and adiponectin were measured using Bio-Plex and qRT-PCR.

Results

We found that miR-1301, miR-223 and miR-224 expression was downregulated in early-onset PE, but not in late-onset PE, compared to controls. In silico analysis predicted the leptin gene (LEP) to be a target for all three miRNAs. Indeed, we found significant correlation between maternal circulating levels of leptin and placental LEP expression. In addition, we found a significant inverse correlation between maternal circulating leptin/placental LEP expression and placental miR-1301 expression levels. Interestingly, placental expression of miR-1301 was also correlated with newborn weight percentile and inversely correlated with both maternal systolic and diastolic blood pressure prior to delivery.

Discussion

Our results confirm that placenta is a major site of LEP expression during pregnancy. It further suggests that miR-1301 could be involved in the regulation of leptin during pregnancy and may play a role in early-onset PE.

Conclusions

miR-1301 is dysregulated in early-onset preeclampsia and could possibly play a role in the regulation of leptin during pregnancy.     

Increased Sympathetic Activity Present in Early Hypertensive Pregnancy is Not Lowered by Plasma Volume Expansion

Objective: To evaluate whether sympathetic activity is increased in early-onset hypertensive pregnancy and whether this can be influenced by management with plasma volume expansion. Methods: The study group consisted of 74 subjects, of which 37 had early-onset hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (preeclampsia or gestational hypertension with fetal growth restriction), who were included at 24 to 34 weeks in a randomized controlled trial of management with (n = 18) or without (n = 19) plasma volume expansion. Heart rate and blood pressure variabilities, LF/HF ratio for heart rate, baroreflex sensitivity, and phase difference at low frequency (LF≈0.1 Hz) were calculated by spectral analysis from continuous heart rate and blood pressure recordings of the finger pulse wave (Portapres?, TNO). Measurements were performed at inclusion, after 20 to 40 hours and after 65 to 100 hours. The control group consisted of 29 women with a normal pregnancy and 8 women who had late-onset preeclampsia after 34 weeks. Controls were measured at 32 weeks. All controls had a normal blood pressures at that time. Results: LF variability of heart rate and blood pressure were significantly higher and baroreflex sensitivity was significantly lower in early-onset patients compared with normal controls. A significant trend towards higher LF variability of blood pressure and lower baroreflex sensitivity was found from normal controls to late-onset controls to early-onset patients. Parameters of sympathetic activity were not influenced by plasma volume expansion. Conclusion: Sympathetic activity was increased in early-onset hypertensive pregnancy. However, this was not affected by management with plasma volume expansion, suggesting that hypovolaemia in preeclampsia is a secondary phenomenon.     

Analysis of correlation factors and pregnancy outcomes of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy – a secondary analysis of a random sampling in Beijing,China

Objective: We aimed to assess the prevalence and risk factors for hypertensive disorders and to study the main pregnancy outcomes in the Beijing area of China.

Study design: This study randomly sampled 15 hospitals in Beijing from Jun 2013 to Nov 2013 and evaluated 15 194 deliveries. Logistic regression analysis was used to study the association between risk factors and hypertensive disorders. Pregnancy outcomes included preterm birth, cesarean delivery and small for gestational age (SGA).

Results: The prevalence of hypertensive disorders, preeclampsia (PE) and severe PE was 4.4, 2.7 and 1.8%, respectively. The risk factors for hypertensive disorders and severe PE were maternal body mass index before pregnancy, gestational weight gain (GWG), gestational diabetes and pre-gestational diabetes, and third trimester cholesterol (CHOL) levels. First trimester high-density lipoprotein was a protective factor for severe PE. The incidence of hypertensive disorders increased with maternal age. Preterm delivery, cesarean delivery and small infant size for gestational age were more prevalent in the severe PE group compared with the non-hypertensive group.

Conclusions: In the Beijing area of China, maternal body mass index before pregnancy, GWG, maternal complications of gestational diabetes and pre-gestational diabetes, and third trimester CHOL levels are risk factors for both hypertensive disorders of pregnancy and severe PE. First trimester high-density lipoprotein is a protective factor for severe PE. Severe preeclampsia leads to a higher incidence of preterm delivery, cesarean delivery and SGA infants.     

Evidence supporting a role for blockade of the vascular endothelial growth factor system in the pathophysiology of preeclampsia. Young Investigator Award

OBJECTIVE: Soluble vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 1 (sVEGFR-1), which antagonizes VEGF functions, has been implicated in the pathophysiology of preeclampsia. The purpose of this study was to determine whether preeclampsia is associated with a change in the plasma concentration of sVEGFR-1, and, if so, whether such a change is correlated with the severity of the disease. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted to determine the concentrations of sVEGFR-1 in plasma obtained from normal pregnant women (n=61) and patients with preeclampsia (n=61). Plasma concentrations of sVEGFR-1 were determined by enzyme-linked immunoassay. RESULTS: Preeclampsia had a higher median plasma concentration of sVEGFR-1 than normal pregnancy (P <.001). The median plasma concentration of sVEGFR-1 was higher in early-onset (< or =34 weeks) than late-onset (>34 weeks) preeclampsia (P=.005), and higher in severe than in mild preeclampsia (P=.002). In normal pregnancy, there was a correlation between plasma concentration of sVEGFR-1 and gestational age (r=0.5; P <.001). In contrast, there was a negative correlation between plasma concentration of sVEGFR-1 and gestational age at the onset of preeclampsia (r=-0.5; P <.001). CONCLUSION: Preeclampsia is associated with an increased plasma sVEGFR-1 concentration. The elevation of sVEGFR-1 concentration is correlated with the severity of the disease. These observations suggest the participation of VEGF and its soluble receptor in the pathophysiology of preeclampsia.     

Maternal psychosocial outcome after early onset preeclampsia and preterm birth

Objective.?To evaluate the impact of severe, early onset preeclampsia on long-term maternal psychosocial outcome after preterm birth.

Methods.?Women with severe, early onset preeclampsia before 32 weeks’ gestation (cases) admitted in a tertiary university referral center between 1993 and 2004, and women with preterm delivery without preeclampsia (controls), matched for age, parity, gestational age at delivery, ethnicity, and year of delivery. Women who consented to participation received three questionnaires in 2008 concerning depression (Zung Depression Scale: score range 0–20; 20 items with 2-point frequency scale: no?=?0 and yes?=?1), posttraumatic stress symptoms (Impact of Event Scale: score range 0–75; 15 items with 4-point frequency scale: not at all?=?0, rarely?=?1, sometimes?=?3 and often?=?5. Scores?>?19 are regarded as high symptom levels), and social aspects (Social Readjustment Rating Scale: selection of six items concerning relational aspects with husband/partner, employer, or future family planning).

Results.?Included in the study were 104 cases and 78 controls (response rate 79% and 58%, respectively). There was no difference in depression scores between cases (5.4 ± 4.0) and controls (5.4 ± 4.3). Patients with severe, early onset preeclampsia had significantly higher scores of posttraumatic stress symptoms (28.7 ± 8.6 vs. 25.7 ± 7.9). The majority of women among both cases and controls had high-posttraumatic stress symptom levels (88% vs. 79%). No differences could be found in relational aspects.

Conclusion.?Women with preterm birth due to severe, early onset preeclampsia experience more often posttraumatic stress symptoms on average 7 years after the pregnancy compared to women with preterm birth without preeclampsia.     

MORTALITY AND MORBIDITY ASSOCIATED WITH EARLY-ONSET PREECLAMPSIA

Objective To examine the management of early-onset preeclampsia and its maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality.

Design Retrospective cohort study of 49,812 births at a university teaching hospital between June 1986 and March 1997. Seventy-one women were identified with a diagnosis of preeclampsia with an onset at less than 30 completed weeks of gestation.

Results The incidence of very preterm preeclampsia was 1 in 682 total births. The mean diagnosis to delivery interval (range) was 14 days (0–49 days). There were no maternal deaths. Fifteen women (21%) had developed HELLP/ELLP syndrome, 9 (13%) had renal failure, 1 (1.4%) had eclampsia, and 11 (15%) had an abruption. Five women (7%) had a termination of pregnancy, 57 (80%) were delivered by cesarean section, and 4 (5%) required a classical incision. There were 12 intrauterine deaths (16%), 9 neonatal deaths (12%), and 52 neonatal survivors (72%). Two of the survivors were known to have neurological impairment at the 2-year follow-up.

Conclusions A conservative approach to the management of early-onset preeclampsia results in a good obstetric outcome for the majority of fetuses, but this must be balanced against the significant risk of morbidity to the mothers.