Preeclampsia, a major cause of maternal and fetal mortality and morbidity, is characterized by development of swelling, elevated blood pressure and protein in urine during the pregnancy.
The incidence of preeclampsia varies from 2 to 10 percent.

Kirsten Duckitt and Deborah Harrington, from Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, UK, carried out a systematic review of published literature to reach an overall estimate for the risk of preeclampsia for each risk factor.

The most significant risk factors for developing preeclampsia were a history of preeclampsia and the presence of antiphospholipid antibodies.

Pre-existing diabetes and a pre-pregnancy BMI of 35 or more, almost quadrupled the risk; nulliparity, a family history of preeclampsia, and twin pregnancy almost tripled the risk; and maternal age 40 years or older, a booking BMI of 35 or more, and a systolic blood pressure equal to or greater than 130 at booking doubled the risk .

Pre-existing hypertension, renal disease, chronic autoimmune disease, and 10 years or more between pregnancies increased the risk but it is not clear by how much.

According to Authors the risk factors, that have been identified, could be used to assess risk at the booking visit, so that a suitable surveillance routine to detect preeclampsia can be planned for the rest of the pregnancy.

Source: British Medical Journal, 2005

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