Evaluation of the risk factors in pregnant females with hypertensive disorder of pregnancy

Background: Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP) are important causes of maternal and perinatal morbidity. This study evaluated readily identifiable maternal and pregnancy-related factors associated with HDP. Methods: This analytical cross-sectional study enrolled 211 pregnant women beyond 20 weeks of gestation at Deen Dayal Upadhyay Hospital, New Delhi, from May 2022 until completion of recruitment. Participants were categorized as HDP (n=61) or normotensive (n=150). Maternal age, body mass index (BMI), previous preeclampsia, multifetal gestation, and assisted reproductive technology (ART) conception were recorded. Categorical variables were compared using the chi-square test; p<0.05 was significant. Results: The mean age was 27.63±4.93 years and mean BMI was 22.09±3.08 kg/m2. HDP occurred in 61 (28.9%) participants. Maternal age group was not associated with HDP (p=0.141). BMI>35 kg/m2 occurred in 2/61 (3.3%) women with HDP and 0/150 normotensive women (p=0.026). Previous preeclampsia was present in 8/61 (13.1%) and 2/150 (1.3%), respectively (p=0.0001). Multifetal gestation occurred in 10/61 (16.4%) and 3/150 (2.0%), respectively (p=0.0001). ART conception was not significantly associated with HDP (p=0.348). Conclusions: Higher BMI, previous preeclampsia, and multifetal gestation were significantly associated with HDP, whereas maternal age and ART conception were not.