Demographic Factors, Biochemical Markers, and Obstetric History Associated with the Risk of Preeclampsia in a Sudanese Population Sample

Background: Preeclampsia significantly contributes to maternal and perinatal illness and death, particularly in low and middle-income countries like Sudan. It is classified by onset timing (early vs. late) and severity (mild vs. severe) and is one of the four hypertensive disorders in pregnancy, including chronic hypertension, gestational hypertension, and chronic hypertension with superimposed preeclampsia. This study aimed to evaluate the demographic, clinical, and biochemical predictors of preeclampsia among Sudanese women.

Methods: This case-control study involved 100 women diagnosed with preeclampsia and 100 healthy pregnant women who acted as the control group at Omdurman Maternity Hospital in Khartoum State, Sudan, from 2019 to 2021. Data on sociodemographic characteristics, obstetric history, and biochemical markers, including platelet counts, were collected using a comprehensive questionnaire and blood sample analysis.

Results: Women with preeclampsia were more frequently over the age of 40 (OR=9.33, 95% CI: 4.54-19.19, p < 0.001) and had a longer median duration of marriage (OR=2.9, 95% CI: 1.51-5.58, p=0.001). Lower educational levels (p=0.008) and being housewives (p=0.024) were also more prevalent in the preeclampsia group. Clinically, headache (OR=18.98, 95% CI: 2.44-147.5, p=0.005) and blurring of vision (OR=25.83, 95% CI: 1.17-572.6, p=0.04) were more prevalent in women with preeclampsia. Biochemical markers showed lower platelet counts (p=0.002), higher levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) (OR=2.23, 95% CI: 1.51-3.28, p < 0.001) and creatinine (OR=16.76, 95% CI: 2.31-121.5, p=0.005), while aspartate aminotransferase (AST) was not significantly associated with preeclampsia.

Conclusion: Family history of preeclampsia was the most significant predictor. Other important risk factors included older age, longer duration of marriage, lower education levels, headache, blurring of vision, and higher levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and creatinine.