OS001. Pregnancy outcome in subsequent pregnancies after eclampsia

Eclampsia in the previous pregnancy may have impact on future reproductive performance of the women. Few studies have been conducted in recent years to review the subsequent pregnancy outcome. In this study women with previous eclampsia were followed up in subsequent pregnancy and outcome was compared with normotensive control group.

To study the risk of recurrence of hypertension and associated complications in subsequent pregnancies following eclampsia.

Fifty-three pregnant women with previous history of eclampsia were supervised and delivered in PGIMER, Chandigarh, India (2001 April-2011 March) were studied prospectively. The pregnancy outcome was compared with 106 age and gravida matched controls who had remained normotensive in previous pregnancies. The data analysis was done by Chi-square test and Student 't' test.

Amongst women with previous eclampsia eight women (15%) were found to have underlying chronic hypertension. The incidence of gestational hypertension and pre-eclampsia was 37.7% amongst these women, compared to 7.5% in control group (p=0.0001). Preterm deliveries mainly due to preterm inductions were higher (32%) amongst women with previous eclampsia compared to 12% amongst controls (p=0.0004). Incidence of intra uterine growth restriction was significantly higher amongst cases (15% vs 1.5%, p=0.0003).

Women with previous eclampsia have higher incidence of chronic hypertension. These women are at significant risk to develop hypertensive disorders of pregnancy and its related complications. The recurrence of eclampsia is low with aggressive and vigilant antenatal care.