A Retrospective Study of Neonatal Outcome in Preeclampsia at the University Hospital of the West Indies: A Resource-limited Setting.

Abstract

This study aimed to determine the outcome of neonates born to women with preeclampsia at the University Hospital of the West Indies (UHWI). This was a retrospective descriptive study looking at the outcome of all babies born to women with preeclampsia and control babies born to normotensive women at the UHWI over a 20-month period. Maternal and neonatal demographic data and course of admission for admitted neonates were recorded. Descriptive analyses were performed. Neonates born to women with preeclampsia were more likely to be low birth weight [odds ratio (OR = 2.8; confidence interval (CI): 2.2-3.5], small for gestational age (OR = 2.3; CI: 1.9-2.9) or premature (OR = 2.5; CI: 2.0-3.0). They had a lower mean 5min Apgar score than babies born to normotensive women p<0.05. They were also more likely to be admitted to the neonatal unit 67 (59%) compared with neonates of normotensive women 13 (13%)p<0.001. The main reason for admission was prematurity. Eighteen neonates, all born to women with preeclampsia, died, and the main cause of death was prematurity. Adverse neonatal outcome was noted in neonates born to women with preeclampsia, and this was predominantly related to prematurity and its complications.