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Factors associated with postpartum follow-up and persistent hypertension among women with severe preeclampsia

Journal of Perinatology volume 36, pages 1079–1082 (2016)Cite this article

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Abstract

Objective:

To determine factors associated with lower 6-week postpartum follow-up rates and persistent hypertension among women with preeclampsia with severe features (PEC-S).

Study Design:

Planned secondary analysis of a retrospective cohort study of women with PEC-S. Outcomes were (1) attendance at the 6-week postpartum visit and (2) persistent hypertension.

Results:

One hundred ninety-three women were in the final cohort. The 6-week follow-up rate was 52.3%. Factors associated with lower follow-up were African-American race (OR 0.37 (0.18–0.77)) and <5 prenatal visits (OR 0.44 (0.20–0.97)). Women with diabetes and women with a cesarean had higher follow-up (OR 4.00 (1.09–14.66) and 2.61 (1.40–4.88), respectively). Among those with 6-week follow-up, 21% had persistent hypertension. Obese women, women diagnosed with PEC-S by severe range blood pressure (BP) and women discharged home on BP medication were more likely to have persistent hypertension (OR 3.50 7 (1.06–11.58), 3.58 (1.11-11.54) and 3.04 (1.12–8.23), respectively).

Conclusion:

We identified a subgroup of women at higher risk for poor postpartum follow-up and those at risk for persistent hypertension.

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Acknowledgements

This study was funded in part by a career development award in Women’s Reproductive Health Research: K12-HD001265-14.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Maternal and Child Health Research Program, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA

    L D Levine & S K Srinivas

  2. Department of Cardiology, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA

    C Nkonde-Price

  3. Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Women and Infants Hospital, Alpert Medical School at Brown University, Providence, RI, USA

    M Limaye

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  1. L D Levine
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  2. C Nkonde-Price
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Correspondence to L D Levine.

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The authors declare no conflict of interest.

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Levine, L., Nkonde-Price, C., Limaye, M. et al. Factors associated with postpartum follow-up and persistent hypertension among women with severe preeclampsia. J Perinatol 36, 1079–1082 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1038/jp.2016.137

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