RISK-FACTORS FOR SEVERE PREECLAMPSIA

Objective: To identify risk factors associated with severe preeclampsi a and to determine whether these factors are similar in nulliparous an d multiparous patients. Methods: Patients whose pregnancies were compl icated by severe preeclampsia (n = 70) were compared retrospectively t o 18,964 non-preeclamptic controls. Information on maternal demographi c factors; medical, obstetric, and family histories; and neonatal outc ome was retrieved and analyzed by univariate and multivariate analysis . Results: By logistic regression, the only risk factors associated wi th the development of severe preeclampsia were severe obesity in all p atients (adjusted odds ratio 3.5, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.68-7. 46) and a history of preeclampsia in multiparous patients (adjusted od ds ratio 7.2, 95% CI 2.74-18.74). Conclusion: Severe obesity and a his tory of preeclampsia are the only maternal risk factors identified for the development of severe preeclampsia.