Comparative Demographic and Clinical Profile of Preeclamptic and Normal Pregnant Women in the Third Trimester

Abstract

Background: Preeclampsia is a pregnancy-specific, multi-system disorder characterized by elevated blood pressure and proteinuria after 20 weeks of gestation. Its exact etiology remains unknown, and globally, it stands as a prominent cause of maternal and infant morbidity and mortality. This study aimed to assess the comparative demographic and clinical profile of preeclamptic and normal pregnant women in the third trimester. Methods: This case-control study took place in Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University Hospital and Dhaka Medical College Hospital, Dhaka, Bangladesh, spanning from July 2011 to June 2012. The study enrolled 100 pregnant women, with 50 cases diagnosed with preeclampsia and 50 controls representing normal pregnant women. Data analysis was conducted using SPSS version 23.0. Results: The mean ages of cases (25.8 ± 4.4 years) and controls (27.1 ± 3.1 years) were similar (P=0.177). A predominant proportion of cases (74%) and controls (66%) belonged to a lower social class (P=0.383). BMI assessment showed no significant difference (P= 0.645). Most participants in both groups were preterm (P=0.235) and primigravida (P= 0.422). The case group exhibited significantly higher mean serum ferritin than the control group (P<0.001). Hemoglobin and hematocrit levels showed no significant differences (P=0.761 and P=0.231, respectively). Elevated serum ferritin (>20 ng/ml) was prevalent in 76% of cases and 44% of controls (P=0.001). The odds of elevated serum ferritin in preeclampsia were approximately 4 times higher than in normal pregnancies (95% CI=1.7–9.5). Variations in serum ferritin levels across gestational ages are illustrated. Conclusion: The study found no significant correlation between preeclamptic and normal pregnant women's demographic and clinical status in the third trimester, except for serum ferritin levels. Further research is needed to obtain a clearer understanding of these relationships.