Trends in the incidence of pre-eclampsia and eclampsia in Taiwan between 1998 and 2010

Abstract

ObjectiveThe aim of our study was to determine the relationship between age and the incidence of pre-eclampsia and eclampsia. Materials and MethodsWe analyzed data collected by the National Health Insurance Bureau between 1998 and 2010. Data were obtained from the Taiwanese Department of Health website and the Department of Internal Affairs. ResultsThe incidence of pre-eclampsia increased significantly (from 0.87% to 1.21%), but the incidence of eclampsia did not change significantly (from 0.04% to 0.05%) between 1998 and 2010. The incidence of pre-eclampsia in the 20–24-year age group was 0.60 ± 0.09%. The relative risk of pre-eclampsia in the different age groups was as follows: aged <20 years, 1.02-fold (p = 1.0); 25–29 years, 1.35-fold (p = 0.041); 30–34 years, 1.79-fold (p < 0.001); 35–39 years, 2.99-fold (p < 0.001); and ≥40 years, 5.13-fold (p < 0.001). The incidence of eclampsia in the 20–24-year age group was 0.04 ± 0.01%. The incidence of eclampsia in only the ≥40-years age group significantly increased by 2.49-fold (p = 0.001). ConclusionThe incidence of pre-eclampsia was correlated with maternal age. The incidence of pre-eclampsia was the lowest in the 20–24-year age group and soared in the >35-year age groups.