OBSTETRIC PROGNOSIS IN SECOND PREGNANCY AFTER PREECLAMPSIA IN FIRST PREGNANCY

Abstract

Objective	=	To assess obstetric outcomes in women in their second pregnancy after preeclampsia in the first pregnancy.
Methods	=	We utilized population-based birth registry data of Kuopio University Hospital to investigate pregnancy outcome measures in 123 non-preeclamptic parous women with prior preeclampsia and 21 women with repeat preeclampsia in their second pregnancy. The general obstetric population was used as a reference group in logistic regression.
Results	=	The development of recurrent preeclampsia in 15% of women is associated with adverse neonatal outcomes. A first preeclamptic pregnancy may offer protection against disease recurrence and a history of preeclampsia has no significant effects on birth weight, fetal distress, or prematurity rate. However, they have a higher rate of pregnancy-induced hypertension and abdominal deliveries, and, therefore, a greater proportion of newborns are referred to neonatal units for observation.
Conclusions	=	Women in whom preeclampsia does not recur have good obstetric outcomes in their second delivery, almost comparable to that in the general obstetric population. A genetic susceptibility to preeclampsia alone has minor effects on pregnancy outcome in a second pregnancy if the disease does not recur.

• Preeclampsia
• Recurrence: Subsequent gestation