Pre-eclampsia: incidence, determinants, and pregnancy outcomes from maternity hospitals in Qatar: a population-based case-control study

Background We aimed to study the maternal characteristics and obstetric and neonatal outcomes in pregnant mothers with pre-eclampsia (PE) compared to normotensive. Methods This was a population-based retrospective data analysis. Data were obtained from the PEARL-Peristat Study perinatal registry (Perinatal Neonatal Outcomes Research Study in the Arabian Gulf) Qatar. The birth periods ranged from January to December 2017 in the main Women's Hospital (now named Women's Wellness Research Center) and March to December 2017 in other hospitals. This study examined 19762 singleton births at 24 weeks of gestation and above. This analysis included only 19,194 births with complete data in the registry database at the time of this analysis, divided into normotensive women (n = 18,735) and women with PE (n = 459) excluding women with gestational hypertension and chronic hypertension without superimposed PE(n = 568). We compared the maternal characteristics of mothers with PE with normotensive mothers and studied the obstetric and neonatal outcomes including cesarean section, stillbirths, prematurity, fetal growth restriction and postpartum hemorrhage (PPH). Results The prevalence of hypertensive disorders among the 19,762 singleton pregnancies was 1027/19,762 (5.1%). The incidence of pre-eclampsia was 459/19,762 (2.3%) while gestational (341/19,762 (1.7%) and chronic hypertension 219/19,762 (1.1%)). A history of PE or eclampsia in past pregnancies was reported in 12.9% vs 0.9% p < .001 of PE vs normotensive women, respectively. After adjusting for significant maternal risk factors using multivariate logistic regression anlaysis, it was noted that PE was significantly associated with a higher odds for cesarean section (odds ratio (OR), 2.67 (95% CI, 2.19-3.25); p < .001), acute maternal morbidity (OR, 16.42 (95% CI, 5.58-48.30); p < .001), still births (OR, 3.27 (95% CI, 1.56-6.83); p < .001), preterm births (OR, 8.67 (95% CI, 7.05-10.65); p < .001), NICU admissions (OR, 4.41 (95% CI, 3.61-5.38); p < .001) and low birth weight (OR, 7.93 (95% CI, 6.43-9.29); p < .001). Conclusion Women with pre-eclampsia when compared to the normotensive women, they are older, nulliparous, diabetic and obese with an increased risk of preterm birth and cesarean deliveries. It was noted that PE was significantly associated with acute maternal morbidity, still births, cesarean section and preterm births. By taking preventive measures, prompt delivery and appropriate care we can reduce the risks associated with it or prolong the pregnancy to a gestational period which is considered safe for the neonatal survival. Therefore it's imperative to be aware of the population-based risk factors and its mode of presentation in order to give a timely appropriate care and to prevent severe maternal and fetal morbidities and mortalities.