Demographic Status and Diet Pattern of Preeclamptic and Healthy Pregnant Women - A Comparative Study

Background: Preeclampsia is a hypertensive disorder affecting 2-8% of pregnancies worldwide and is a major contributor to maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality, especially in low- and middle-income countries like Bangladesh. Preeclampsia is characterized by high blood pressure and proteinuria, and its occurrence is influenced by various demographic and dietary factors. Understanding these influences is critical in resource-limited settings to improve health outcomes for both preeclamptic and healthy pregnant women. Objective: This study aimed to assess and compare the demographic characteristics and dietary patterns of preeclamptic and healthy pregnant women in Bangladesh, with the goal of identifying risk factors associated with preeclampsia. Methodology: This cross-sectional comparative study was conducted over one year, from July 2018 to June 2019, at Rajshahi Medical College in Bangladesh. The study included 100 preeclamptic pregnant women as cases and 100 healthy pregnant women as controls, aged 18-35 years and at 28-32 weeks of gestation. Demographic data, dietary patterns, and serum levels of calcium, magnesium, and uric acid were measured. Statistical analyses, including Chi-square and Unpaired t-tests, were conducted using SPSS, with a significance level set at p < 0.05. Results: Preeclamptic women were significantly older and had higher BMI, systolic, and diastolic blood pressures compared to healthy pregnant women. Dietary analysis revealed that 60% of preeclamptic women had non-balanced diets, compared to only 2% of healthy women, indicating a statistically significant difference. However, there was no significant difference in socioeconomic status and parity between the two groups. Educational attainment was lower among preeclamptic women, with a higher proportion having only primary education compared to controls. Conclusion: The study highlights the impact of demographic and dietary factors on the risk of preeclampsia among pregnant women ...