Estimating risk factors for development of preeclampsia in teen mothers

• Published in: Archives of gynecology and obstetrics 2012-11, Vol.286 (5), p.1093-1096
• Main Authors: Baker, Arthur M., Haeri, Sina
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adolescent; Body Mass Index; Child; Endocrinology; Female; Gynecology; Health risk assessment; Human Genetics; Humans; Maternal-Fetal Medicine; Medicine; Medicine & Public Health; Obesity - complications; Obstetrics/Perinatology/Midwifery; Pre-Eclampsia - etiology; Preeclampsia; Pregnancy; Pregnancy in Adolescence; Retrospective Studies; Risk Factors; Severity of Illness Index; Weight Gain
• ISSN: 0932-0067; 1432-0711
• DOI: 10.1007/s00404-012-2418-z

Purpose Our objective was to identify potentially modifiable risk factors for preeclampsia in a contemporary American teen population. Methods We conducted a retrospective cohort analysis of all teenage deliveries (≤18 years old) at one institution over a 4-year-period. All cases of preeclampsia were identified using the National Working Group for Hypertension in Pregnancy diagnostic criteria and compared to normotensive teenage mothers. Results Of the 730 included teen deliveries, 65 (8.9 %) women developed preeclampsia and demonstrated a higher prepregnancy body mass index when compared with controls (32.9 ± 8.4 vs. 30.3 ± 6.1 kg/m 2 , p  = 0.002). Maternal obesity (body mass index ≥30 kg/m 2 , RR 1.6, 95 % CI 1.0–2.8) and gestational weight gain above the Institute of Medicine recommended levels (RR 2.6, 95 % CI 1.5–4.4) were associated with higher risk for development of preeclampsia. When evaluating by severity or onset of disease, excessive weight gain in pregnancy was the strongest risk factor for mild ( n  = 58) or late onset ( n  = 54) preeclampsia (RR 2.5, 95 % CI 1.4–3.4). Conclusions Maternal obesity and excessive gestational weight gain place the gravid teen at increased risk for preeclampsia. The modifiable nature of these risk factors permits the possibility of intervention and prevention.