Maternal and Perinatal Outcomes of Preeclampsia: A Case-Control Study at a Tertiary Hospital in Lagos, Nigeria

Abstract

Aim: Preeclampsia is a global burden leading to maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality. It is peculiar to human pregnancy with adverse consequences. The study aims to compare the clinical characteristics and complications between women with preeclampsia and normotensive pregnant women Methods: A cross-sectional case-control study was conducted involving 50 pregnant women, consisting of 25 women with preeclampsia and 25 normotensive patients, after 28 weeks of gestational age. The participants attended the antenatal clinic and delivered at Lagos State University Teaching Hospital in Lagos, Nigeria, over six months. Patients were selected based on specific inclusion and exclusion criteria. Results: The sample size of n=50 women, with 25 per group. The median age of pre-eclampsia respondents was significantly higher than the normotensive group (p=0.035). There were also significant differences across mode of delivery, with pre-eclampsia patients undergoing CS in 88% of cases compared to 56% of the control group (p=0.012 There were observed significant differences across both groups in perinatal complications (p=0.008), weight of delivered babies (p=0.005), admission to SCBU (p< 0.001), and APGAR scores (0.004). Conclusion: Preeclampsia increases rates of cesarean delivery, prematurity, low birth weight, and a heightened requirement for maternal and neonatal intensive care. The prompt identification of preeclampsia, supported by early referral, adequate antenatal services, and effective management, is essential to mitigate its consequences, particularly in low-resource settings. It is crucial to develop healthcare policies, fund healthcare services, and educate stakeholders to mitigate the challenges of preeclampsia.