Perinatal outcome of recurrent pre-eclampsia versus pre-eclampsia in nulliparas.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of the study was to compare the perinatal outcome of recurrent pre-eclampsia in multiparas with that of pre-eclampsia in nulliparas.


METHODS
This retrospective study was performed by collecting maternal and perinatal data from records of women with pre-eclampsia who delivered at Mackay Memorial Hospital over a 10-year period. Fifty women with recurrent pre-eclampsia were compared with 207 women who developed pre-eclampsia as nulliparas. In the 50 multiparas, the outcome of recurrent pre-eclampsia was also compared with that of their earlier episodes of pre-eclampsia. Maternal and fetal variables compared included maternal blood pressure, serum biochemistry, rate of preterm delivery, rate of abruptio placentae and neonatal outcome.


RESULTS
Compared with nulliparous women with pre-eclampsia (n = 50), women with recurrent pre-eclampsia (n = 207) had a smaller increase in mean maternal blood pressure (27.0 +/- 18.9 mmHg vs 34.3 +/- 19.3 mmHg, P = 0.021), less dipstick proteinuria (>or=++; 36.0 vs 58.5%, P = 0.004), and bore children with a heavier mean birthweight (2909.1 +/- 895.5 g vs 2551.1 +/- 933.0 g, P = 0.017). No significant statistical difference was found in the gestational age of delivery, maternal serum biochemical levels and rate of abruptio placentae or preterm delivery. Within the multiparous group (n = 50), recurrent disease was associated with a lower mean maternal blood pressure and dipstick proteinuria and with higher birthweight than in their previous pre-eclamptic pregnancies.


CONCLUSIONS
Recurrent pre-eclampsia appears to be less severe and to have a better perinatal outcome than pre-eclampsia in nulliparas.
Division of High Risk Pregnancy, Mackay Memorial Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan.
Yi-Yung
YY
Chen
Mao-Lin
ML
Wu
Mei-Hua
MH
Kao
Tsung-Hsien
TH
Su
Chie-Pein
CP
Chen
D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D011225:Pre-Eclampsia / Q000503:physiopathology*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome; D012189:Retrospective Studies