Evaluation of outcomes and risk factors for recurrent preeclampsia in a subsequent pregnancy

Purpose

The aim was to evaluate the pregnancy outcomes and identify risk factors for recurrent preeclampsia (PE).

Methods

Retrospective analysis of patients discharged with PE between January 1, 2010, and January 1, 2023, from two tertiary referral hospitals. They were classified into recurrent and non-recurrent groups based on the presence of PE in subsequent pregnancies.

Results

Among 519 women who had a subsequent pregnancy after a history of PE, 153 developed recurrent PE while 366 did not. The recurrent cases included 81 preterm PE, of which 41 were early-onset PE (EOPE). Recurrent PE correlated significantly with prior EOPE, HELLP syndrome, placental abruption, and stillbirth, as well as with current chronic hypertension (CH) and type 2 diabetes. The recurrent group showed a 5.8-fold higher risk of preterm birth (PTB) compared to the non-recurrent group (50.7% vs. 8.7%). Notably, 58.1% of the PTBs in the non-recurrent group were spontaneous. Logistic regression identified previous EOPE (aOR: 4.22 [95% CI: 2.50–7.13]) and current CH (aOR: 1.86 [95% CI: 1.09–3.18]) as independent contributors for recurrent PE. Furthermore, recurrent preterm PE shared the same risk factors: previous EOPE (aOR: 5.27 [95% CI: 2.82–9.85]) and current CH (aOR: 2.99 [95% CI: 1.57–5.71]). The morbidity of CH in subsequent pregnancy peaked at 31.9% when women with a history of EOPE delivered within three years.

Conclusion

Previous EOPE and current CH were sequentially crucial risk factors for the development of PE and preterm PE during the next pregnancy. This may clarify risk stratification in prenatal management for women with a history of PE.