Risk factors for late postpartum preeclampsia

To determine the risk factors for late postpartum preeclampsia.

This was a retrospective case control study of women readmitted in the postpartum period (>48 hours and <4 weeks) with preeclampsia. Inclusion criteria were readmission with confirmed preeclampsia. Variables examined were age, race, parity, gestational hypertension, preeclampsia in labor, mode of delivery and history of preeclampsia in previous pregnancies.

Data included 51 women who met the criteria for late postpartum preeclampsia. Initial analysis revealed that antenatal preeclampsia, gestational hypertension, preeclampsia in a prior pregnancy, body mass index (BMI) > 30, African American race and cesarean delivery were all predictive of late postpartum preeclampsia. Asian ethnicity was protective. Final analysis using logistic regression concluded that African American race, cesarean delivery, BMI and hypertensive disease during the incident pregnancy were all significant predicators of late postpartum disease.

BMI >30, antenatal hypertensive disease, cesarean delivery and African American race were all predictive of readmission for late postpartum preeclampsia. Asian ethnicity appeared to be protective against developing late postpartum preeclampsia.