The Outcome of Preeclampsia with Severe Features

Background: Preeclampsia is a critical pregnancy-related condition linked to high maternal and fetal mortality rates, with rising morbidity and mortality despite medical advancements.

Objective: This study aimed to assess outcomes in patients with severe preeclampsia features at a tertiary care hospital.

Methods: Conducted as a cross-sectional study over six months at the Department of Gynecology & Obstetrics, Rangpur Medical College Hospital, this research involved 100 participants meeting specific criteria for severe preeclampsia. Data on demographics, maternal, and fetal outcomes were collected and analyzed using SPSS for Windows 2007.

Results: Among the participants, the majority (41%) were aged 21-25, with a mean age of 28.32 ± 6.8 years. Primigravida cases constituted 62%, and 16% had preeclampsia in prior pregnancies. A family history of hypertension was noted in 24% of cases. Delivery occurred at 28-34 weeks in 56% of cases, with 34% delivering at 35-37 weeks. Complications included postpartum hemorrhage (42%), eclampsia (15%), placental abruption (11%), HELLP syndrome (8%), renal dysfunction (5%), and disseminated intravascular coagulation (3%). Fetal outcomes revealed that 49% had five-minute APGAR scores below six, 18% required neonatal ICU admission, and complications included intrauterine growth restriction (21%), prematurity (47%), low birth weight (45%), stillbirths (15%), and neonatal deaths (9%).

Conclusion: Severe preeclampsia predominantly affected adolescents, unbooked, rural, and low socioeconomic women. Key complications included HELLP syndrome and postpartum hemorrhage, with a 2% maternal mortality rate from acute renal failure.