Preeclampsia Across Pregnancies and Associated Risk Factors: Findings from a High‐Risk US Birth Cohort

Preeclampsia rates and poor outcomes are significantly more common in underrepresented racial and ethnic groups. Using a database from a group of predominantly low-income women and infants, the authors studied the connection between cardiometabolic risk factors (medical issues that affect your heart, blood vessels, and energy processes such as obesity, chronic diabetes, and chronic hypertension) and outcomes before, during, and between pregnancies. Findings confirmed that obesity plays a direct role in the development of preeclampsia, as well as an indirect role in the development of future chronic hypertension and diabetes.

Take home message: Being obese is a risk factor for both first-time and recurring preeclampsia. Weight loss before and between pregnancy may reduce the risk of preeclampsia in obese or overweight women. Effective lifestyle changes for weight loss are needed to prevent the development of chronic disease and poor pregnancy outcomes especially in marginalized communities.

Link:  https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/JAHA.120.019612

About Research Roundup

Each quarter, our team of researchers reviews the most current studies related to hypertensive disorders of pregnancy and selects those studies they feel will be of greatest interest to our community to summarize.

Special thanks to our volunteer research team, who under the leadership of Dr. Elizabeth Sutton, make Research Roundup possible: Alisse Hauspurg, MD Felicia LeMoine, MD Jenny Sones, PhD, DVM, and Robin Trupp, PhD, RN.