Relationship between Nutritional Pattern and Occurrence of Pre-Eclampsia and Eclampsia among Primigravidae

Abstract

Background: Nutritional status during pregnancy influences the course of pregnancy, fetal development, and long-term health of the mother and child. Nutritional deficiencies are common in women of reproductive age in developing countries. Epidemiological and biological evidence suggest that acute or chronic specific nutritional deficiencies can contribute to severe maternal morbidity such as pre-eclampsia. Early detection through simple screening measures and diligent prenatal care can predict or prevent many effects of preeclampsia. Therefore, seeking early and regular prenatal care throughout pregnancy is essential. Objectives: to find out the relationship between nutritional status and occurrence of pre-eclampsia and eclampsia among primigravidae. Methods: in an exploratory, descriptive, retrospective study, a convenient sample of 120 pregnant women was picked up from the high-risk pregnancy outpatient clinics, pre-eclamptic unit and ICU of El-Shatby Maternity University Hospital and Gamal Abdel Nasser Health Insurance Hospital. The study subjects were divided equally into pre-eclamptic and non pre-eclamptic groups. Inclusion criteria included age between 20-35 years, primigravida, from 20-40 weeks of gestation, have no previous medical diseases and willing to participate in the study. Two validated tools were developed and used by the researchers to collect the necessary data; an interview schedule to collect basic data such as sociodemographic characteristics and history of pregnancy and nutritional status assessment sheet to assess nutritional habits and daily dietary intake. Results: calcium and folic acid supplementations were less taken by the study group, compared to the control group. Hemoglobin level and number of meals/day were statistically lower among the study group, compared to the control group. Animal proteins, fruits and vegetables were also statistically occasionally taken by the study group, compared to the control group. In addition, daily consumption of fats, proteins, iron, vitamins A, B1 and B2 was statistically less than daily requirement among the study group, compared to the control group. Conclusion: less adequate daily intake of proteins, fats, fruits, and vegetables among the pre-eclamptic group was a factor in the incidence of preeclampsia. In addition, lack of diet rich calcium and calcium supplementation during pregnancy increased the risk of pre-eclampsia. Moreover, low hemoglobin level was significantly linked to the occurrence of preeclampsia. Pre-eclampsia was also associated with insufficient daily intake of vitamins in the diet such as vitamin A, B1 & B2.

Keywords

• nutritional pattern
• pre- eclampsia
• primigravidae