Analyses of Nutrients and Body Mass Index as Risk Factor for Preeclampsia

Little is known about the pathogenesis of preeclampsia. Many factors are identified as risk factors for preeclampsia including nutrients and obesity. The aim of this study was to assess whether nutrients and body mass index (BMI) are risk factors for preeclampsia.

This was a case-control study at the Department of Obstetric and Gynecology in Dr. M. Djamil Hospital, Padang, Indonesia. A total of 140 patients were enrolled in this study with 70 cases and 70 controls. All subjects completed an interview for their nutritional status and prepregnancy BMI after delivery. The nutritional status was assessed by Food Frequency Questionnaire and then analyzed by Nutrisurvey Program. The independent samples t test was used for nutritional status, and Chi-square test was used for BMI. For nutrients, logistic regression procedures were employed to calculate potential risk factors associated with preeclampsia.

Prevalence of abnormal BMI was more common in the preeclampsia group compared with those without preeclampsia 19 (27.1%) versus 12 (17.1%) but not found as a significant risk factor in this study (p = 0.222). Deficiency of vitamin E (OR 1.76, 95% CI 10.2 ± 30.5), zinc (OR 99.4, 95% CI 1.37 ± 7219), fat (OR 59.1, 95% CI 3.14 ± 500), calcium (OR 109, 95% CI 0.29 ± 40,041), vitamin C (OR 19.5, 95% CI 2.52 ± 151) were associated with increased risk of preeclampsia. Excess of carbohydrate was associated with increased risk of preeclampsia (OR 52.9, 95% CI 0.801 ± 3495).

Deficiency of vitamin E, zinc, fat, calcium, and vitamin C, and excess of calories and carbohydrate were associated with increased risk of preeclampsia.