Preeclampsia in Jordan: incidence,risk factors,and its associated maternal and neonatal outcomes

Objectives: To estimate the incidence of preeclampsia among Jordanian pregnant women, determine its risk factors and its associated neonatal morbidity and mortality.

Methods: The study is a part of a comprehensive national study of perinatal mortality that was conducted in Jordan. This study included all women who gave birth in the selected hospitals during the study period. Maternal and medical conditions during pregnancy and neonatal outcomes were compared between women who developed preeclampsia and who did not.

Results: This study included a total of 21,928 women. The overall incidence rate of preeclampsia was 1.3%. Obesity (OR?=?2.6) and high blood pressure (OR?=?11.9) were significantly associated with increasing odds of preeclampsia. The risk of preeclampsia was 2.3 times higher in first pregnancies than that in second or more pregnancies. The rates of low birth weight (LBW) delivery (32.5% vs. 8.3%), and prematurity (30.8% vs. 7%), and the neonatal mortality rate (81 vs. 12 per 1000 live births) were significantly higher among women with preeclampsia.

Conclusions: The overall incidence rate of preeclampsia was 1.3%. Preeclampsia was significantly associated with maternal and neonatal morbidity and mortality as well as increasing vaginal operative delivery, cesarean section, LBW, and birth asphyxia.