The Role of Risk Assessment at Antenatal Care Clinics in the Prediction of Pre-Eclampsia in a High Altitude Area

Background: Hypertensive disorders are common causes of maternal and fetal mortality and morbidity. Objective: This study aimed to examine the prognostic value of risk assessment at level of antenatal care clinics in predicting pre-eclampsia at a high altitude (3133 m above sea level). Methods: This cross-sectional study, carried out in Abha Maternity and Pediatric Hospital (AMPH), Saudi Arabia, between January and June 2013, included 176 patients (88 pre-eclamptic women and 88 with normal pregnancies). Patient data including age, parity, blood pressure, body mass index, and complete blood count components were recorded. Results: Physical examination of systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure and BMI between two groups showed high statistical significance with a P value of <0.001. Also, parity was found to be statistically significant with a P value of <0.05. The mean hemoglobin among pre-eclamptic women was 12.27 ± 2.01 g/dL versus 11.92 ± 2.43 g/dL in the control group (P = 0.291). Mean plasma hematocrit levels in the study and the control groups were 38.49% ± 4.32% and 37.92% ± 7.04%, respectively; this was not found to be statistically significant (P = 0.518). Although there was an increase in laboratory blood tests of maternal hematocrit and hemoglobin levels, both parameters failed to show any statistical significance. Conclusion: Risk assessment at level of antenatal care clinics can be considered as valuable prognostic tool for prediction of preeclampsia. Any pregnant lady with abnormal physical examination findings of: BMI, systolic and diastolic blood pressure and obstetric history following risk assessment in antenatal care clinics should be observed for possibility of pre-eclampsia.