[Epidemiology of pre-eclampsia in Tizi-ouzou city (Algeria)]

The main objective was to estimate the prevalence of pre-eclampsia (PE) in pregnant women in Tizi-ouzou (Algeria). Secondary objectives were to estimate the frequency of PE risk factors, and the incidence of maternal and fetal complications.

Our study was observational, prospective and descriptive, including all pregnant women at the prenatal appointment in the 2 maternity units of Tizi-ouzou, between January 2012 and June 2013. PE was diagnosed if gestational hypertension was associated with proteinuria > 300 mg/24h, after 20 weeks of gestation.

We had 252 cases of PE on 3225 pregnant women. The prevalence of PE was 7.8% (CI 95%: 6.9%-8.7%). The most frequent PE risk factors were nulliparity (56%), age >40 years (27%), obesity (26%) and PE in any previous pregnancy (21%). The incidence of maternal adverse events was 28.7% (CI 95%: 23.1%-34.3%), including 5 deaths. The rates of prematurity, small for gestational age infant and fetal death were 58.2%, 49.7% and 6.7%, respectively.

The prevalence of PE in pregnant women in Tizi-ouzou is around 8%. The incidence of maternal and fetal adverse outcomes remains high. Only earlier diagnosis and closer monitoring could improve the prognosis of our patients, since the treatment of PE remains currently childbirth.