Risk factors of early and late onset preeclampsia among Thai women

Background: Little research has been conducted to specifically identify risk factors of early and late onset preeclampsia among Thai women. Objective: To examine risk factors of the early and late onset of preeclampsia among Thai women. Methods: A case-control study of 150 preeclampsia cases with an equal number of normotensive controls was conducted among women who delivered live-born singleton infants at King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital, Rajavithi Hospital, and Police General Hospital in Bangkok, Thailand between July 2006 and November 2007. Multivariable logistic regression procedures were used to calculate odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) of potential risk factors associated with preeclampsia. Results: Pre-pregnancy body mass index >= 30 kg/m(2) (OR=5.25, 95%CI: 1.80, 15.32) and failure to use prenatal care services (OR=6.37, 95%CI: 1.26, 32.27) were associated with increased risk of preeclampsia. OR's of similar magnitude were observed when risk factors of early and late onset preeclampsia were assessed separately. Conclusion: Advanced maternal age, obesity, and no utilization of prenatal care were covariates identified as risk factors for preeclampsia.