Abstract:
Background: Preeclampsia refers to the new onset of hypertension and proteinuria after
20weeks of gestation in a previously normotensive woman. Pregnant women with preeclampsia
with severe feature are at an increased risk of adverse maternal and perinatal outcomes.
Objective: The objective of this study was to determine and compare perinatal and maternal
outcome of women with Preeclampsia with severity features and normotensive women managed
and gave birth at JUMC from July to October, 2023G.C
Method: A Hospital based prospective cohort study was conducted among pregnant women with
Preeclampsia with severity features and normotensive pregnant women who gave birth in Jimma
University Medical Center. A pretested English version questionnaire was used to interview
patients and reviewing their records which fulfill the inclusion criteria. The sample size was
determined using STATCALC Epi info version 7.2.2.6 software and the final sample size
required to get a statistically meaningful difference between the two groups was 224. (112 of
exposed and 112 of unexposed). The data was collected by using structured questionnaire and
checklist (using kobotoolbox) after proper orientation given for data collectors and was analyzed
by using SPSS version 27. Chi-square test,Fischer exact test, nonparametric one sample test and
independent T-test were used for comparisons, and logistic regression analysis was done. A 95%
CI and P value < 0.05 were used to declare the level of statistical significance.
Result: This prospective cohort study found out that compared to normotensive women; PE with
severe feature is significantly associated with adverse perinatal outcomes such as LBW(39.3% ,
AOR = 8.5 [1.7, 41.7]), Prematurity (44.6%, AOR = 7.65[3.6 , 16.35]), ENND (17%, AOR
=10.35[1.3,84.5] ), 5th minute low APGAR score (10.7%, AOR = 2.26 [0.63,8.2] ), admission to
NICU(36.6%, AOR =2.7[1.2,5.9] ), perinatal death (21.4%, AOR = 5[1.3,18.5]) and overall
adverse perinatal outcome(38.4%, AOR = 3.2[1.25,8.2]). This study also reveals higher level of
adverse maternal outcomes was observed in the PE with severe feature compared to
normotensive group. Among these maternal outcomes abruption placenta (10.7%), AKI(6.3%),
HELLP syndrome (26.3%), PPH (4.5%) and overall adverse maternal outcome(37.5%) was
found to be higher in PE with severe feature as compared to normotensive women, with
statistically significant difference ( p<0.05).
