Influence of ethnicity on the clinical and biologic expression of pre-eclampsia in the ECLAXIR study

Abstract

Objective To determine whether ethnic origin is related to the clinical and biologic expression of pre-eclampsia. Methods In a secondary analysis of information collected in the ECLAXIR study in France between May 2003 and October 2006, the data from 284 white European, 84 Maghrebian and 158 African women were evaluated in a case–control study of the genetic and endothelial determinants of pre-eclampsia. Results African origin was a risk factor for pre-eclampsia before 28 weeks of gestation. Symptoms related to hypertension, such as neurologic signs and changes in biologic parameters (e.g. hemolysis elevated liver enzymes, low platelet count [HELLP] syndrome), occurred more frequently among white European women. After logistic regression, gestational age at delivery was lower for African women than for white European women (33.4 weeks versus 34.4 weeks of gestation, P = 0.04). Conclusion The results suggest that ethnic origin may have a role in the expression of pre-eclampsia, and should therefore be taken into account in prenatal surveillance. Further research on the genetic factors involved in endothelial dysfunction is warranted.