Preeclampsia and preterm delivery: A population-based case-control study.

OBJECTIVE

To determine the contribution of preeclampsia toward preterm birth in primiparous women.

METHODS

This large population-based case-control study used the Aberdeen Maternity and Neonatal Databank to analyze data on primiparous women with singleton pregnancies, who delivered between 1997 and 2012.

RESULTS

A significant positive association was found between preeclampsia and preterm birth (adjusted odds ratio 4.43; 95% confidence interval 3.80-5.16). Magnitude of association varied according to the onset of delivery and year of delivery.

CONCLUSION

Preeclampsia is an important contributor to preterm delivery in this setting and therefore a potentially useful condition to target in order to reduce preterm rates.