title: Predictors of pre-eclampsia in women at high risk. National Institute of Child Health and Human Development Network of Maternal-Fetal Medicine Units.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We assessed several variables as predictors for pre-eclampsia risk in a group of women at high risk.
  
  
  METHODS
  We studied 2503 women with either diabetes mellitus, chronic hypertension, multifetal gestation, or pre-eclampsia in a previous pregnancy who participated in a multicenter study comparing aspirin and placebo in preventing pre-eclampsia. We evaluated multiple variables for predicting pre-eclampsia risk with use of univariate and multivariable analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Parity and mean arterial pressure at randomization were most predictive of pre-eclampsia risk. The risk was 8% with a mean arterial pressure at enrollment of <75 mm Hg versus 27% with a mean arterial pressure >85 mm Hg (relative risk and 95% confidence interval 3.3 [2.4 to 4.4]). The risk of pre-eclampsia was 26% in nulliparous patients versus 17% in parous subjects (relative risk and 95% confidence interval 1.5 [1.3-1.8]).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The finding that second-trimester mean arterial pressure affects pre-eclampsia risk suggests that the pathophysiologic process of preeclampsia is initiated before that time.
authors.affiliation: National Institute of Child Health and Human Development Network of Maternal-Fetal Medicine Units, Bethesda, Maryland, USA.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Caritis
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Sibai
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Hauth
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Lindheimer
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: VanDorsten
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Klebanoff
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Thom
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Landon
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Paul
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Miodovnik
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Meis
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Thurnau
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Dombrowski
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: McNellis
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Roberts
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001241:Aspirin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001794:Blood Pressure; D005260:Female; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000150:complications; D010298:Parity; D010919:Placebos; D011225:Pre-Eclampsia / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D011247:Pregnancy; D011254:Pregnancy in Diabetics / Q000150:complications; D011272:Pregnancy, Multiple; D012307:Risk Factors
chemical_list: D010919:Placebos; D001241:Aspirin