Maternal Profiles and Associated Outcomes in Preeclampsia: A Five-Year Retrospective Study in a Tertiary Care Center in Saudi Arabia.

INTRODUCTION

Hypertensive disorders, encompassing chronic hypertension, gestational hypertension, preeclampsia (PE), eclampsia, and superimposed preeclampsia, impact up to 10% of pregnancies globally and contribute to significant maternal and neonatal morbidity and mortality.

AIM: This study aimed to compare the clinical characteristics of women with preeclampsia and evaluate the associated maternal and neonatal outcomes across different subtypes of preeclampsia.

PATIENT AND

METHODS

This retrospective study was conducted among patients diagnosed with preeclampsia at the Maternal-Fetal Medicine department in National Guard Health Affairs, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, between January 2019 and January 2024 (5 years). All pregnant females diagnosed with preeclampsia were involved. Data collected include age, gravity, parity, BMI, antihypertensive medication use, Magnesium sulfate use, type of preeclampsia, history of preeclampsia, length of hospital stay, and neonatal outcomes.

RESULTS

Two hundred and seventy-one patients were analyzed and classified into 4 groups: Mild preeclampsia (N=117; 43.2%), severe preeclampsia (N=102; 37.6%), postpartum preeclampsia (N=42; 15.5%), and superimposed preeclampsia (N=10; 3.7%). The mean maternal age was 32 years, and the mean BMI was 31.2 kg/m2. Superimposed preeclampsia was associated with early preterm delivery (p=0.029), and emergency cesarean section (p=0.010). Stillbirth prevalence among PE patients was 5.5% (N=15).

CONCLUSION

Superimposed preeclampsia was associated with adverse maternal outcomes, including lower gestational age at delivery and increased emergency cesarean section rates. However, these findings should be interpreted carefully due to the small sample size of the superimposed preeclampsia subgroup. Stillbirth occurred in 5.5% of cases and was observed among patients with severe preeclampsia; however, no statistically significant difference was identified between groups. Further prospective studies are warranted to better understand these associations and improve maternal and neonatal outcomes.