Fundoscopic changes in patients of pre-eclampsia and eclampsia at tertiary care centre in Surat

Abstract

Context: Pre-eclampsia and Eclampsia are responsible for significant maternal and fetal mortality and morbidity associated with pregnancy. Aims: To determine incident and assessment of posterior segment changes in Pre-Eclampsia and Eclampsia. To find association of retinal changes in relation to severity of disease with age, parity, blood pressure, proteinuria. Settings and Design: Cross-sectional study. Materials and Methods: All cases of pre-eclampsia/eclampsia were included in this study. Age, gravida, gestation period, blood pressure, and proteinuria were available on case records. Through retinal examination was done and findings were noted. Statistical analysis used: Chi-square test. Results: A total of 251 patients of pre-eclampsia and eclampsia were enrolled. The mean age of patients was 24.79 years. The gestation period ranged from 20 weeks to 36 weeks; 88 were the primigravida. 223 patients had preeclampsia, and 28 had eclampsia. Retinal changes (hypertensive retinopathy) were noted in 84 patients - Grade 1 in 55, Grade 2 in 27 and Grade 4 in 1. Retinal detachment was seen in one patient. Conclusions: Retinal changes were seen in 33.46% of patients. Statistical association was found with lower age group, primigravida and severity of pre-eclampsia/eclampsia. No association found with proteinuria. Keywords: PreEclampsia, Eclampsia, Retinal changes, Proteinuria.