Recurrence of preeclampsia is common, even during rigorously controlled multidisciplinary follow-up: a pilot experience.

Background: The risk of kidney failure increases after preeclampsia (PE), further increasing after two or more episodes. Recurrence is variably estimated. The aim of this study was to assess the recurrence rate and its predictors in the setting of obstetric-nephrology follow-up of pregnancies after PE.

Methods: In a prospective study (2018-24), from 108 pregnancies with prior hypertensive disorders of pregnancy we selected 77 singleton deliveries after excluding twins, miscarriages, terminations, ongoing pregnancies, and drop-outs. PE recurrence and potential associated factors were tested in univariable and multivariable logistic regression models. Gestational age at time of delivery was analyzed using Kaplan-Meier curves and Cox regression. The diagnostic potential of angiogenic placental biomarkers (soluble FMS-like tyrosine kinase-1 and placental growth factor) was likewise tested.

Results: In the context of a high prevalence of previous preterm delivery (53.6%), PE recurrence was 42.9%. Furthermore, 19.5% of the women experienced other complications and only 37.7% had an uneventful pregnancy; 60.6% of recurrences occurred after the 37th gestational week (GW), making later delivery possible (median: 38 GW in the index pregnancy versus 35 GW in the previous pregnancy). The covariates associated with PE recurrence were chronic hypertension (OR 7.662, 95% CI 2.122-33.379) and having had a baby with a centile <10th (OR 7.049, 95% CI 1.56-41.027), while those associated with time to delivery were hypertension and maternal age. Being diagnosed with chronic kidney disease after a previous PE episode was not associated with a significantly increased risk of recurrent PE.

Conclusions: Risk of PE recurrence was high but delayed in this cohort on multidisciplinary follow-up. The question of whether a proactive approach to delivery can help to preserve long-term maternal kidney health is open.