Maternal and feto-placental phenotypes of early-onset severe preeclampsia

To characterize maternal and feto-placental phenotypes of severe preeclampsia that trigger early-onset delivery.

A retrospective cohort review of pregnant women receiving care from 2000 to 2010. Subjects with early-onset severe preeclampsia delivering between 20 and 32 weeks were identified excluding multiple gestations or major anomalies. We defined indications for delivery as maternal (i.e. severe headache or abnormal laboratory parameters), feto-placental (i.e. non-reassuring tracing) or mixed (i.e. both maternal and feto-placental factors). To characterize the groups, demographic, clinical, laboratory, ultrasound and pathology data were abstracted. Statistical analysis was conducted.

We identified 164 subjects meeting inclusion criteria. Indications for delivery were maternal (57.3%), feto-placental (29.9%) or mixed (12.8%). Compared to neonates delivered for maternal indications, birthweight was significantly lower among neonates delivered for feto-placental or mixed indications (p < 0.001). While placental findings were largely similar between groups, abnormal cord insertion was more common in subjects delivered for feto-placental factors (p = 0.02). Women delivered for maternal indications had more significant lab abnormalities than women delivered for feto-placental or mixed indications.

In attempting to classify early-onset severe preeclampsia by delivery indication, we found patterns to suggest that feto-placental and maternal phenotypes of disease may have distinct pathophysiologic underpinnings.