Status of Preeclampsia and Eclampsia in Pregnant Women and their Association with Perinatal Outcome in Quetta: A Cross-Sectional Single-Center Study

Abstract

Background: Preeclampsia and eclampsia are among the most severe complications of pregnancy and represent major contributors to maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality worldwide. Preeclampsia is a multisystem disorder characterized by new-onset hypertension accompanied by proteinuria or end-organ damage after the 20th week of gestation. Without timely intervention, it can rapidly progress to life-threatening disease. Eclampsia, defined as the occurrence of generalized tonic-clonic seizures in women with preeclampsia, constitutes one of the most critical obstetric emergencies.

Objective: This study aimed to determine the prevalence and clinical status of preeclampsia and eclampsia among pregnant women attending the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology in Quetta, and to evaluate their association with perinatal outcomes.

Methodology: A cross-sectional observational study was conducted at Bolan Medical Complex Hospital, Quetta, from July 2025 to December 2025. The study population included both admitted patients and outpatients. Data were collected using a convenient sampling technique.

Results: A total of 60 pregnant women diagnosed with hypertensive disorders of pregnancy were enrolled. The majority of participants (45.0%) were aged 39–45 years, and 45.0% had a gestational age of 37–42 weeks. More than half (51.7%) had above-normal blood pressure, with 53.3% classified as eclamptic and 46.7% as preeclamptic. Spontaneous vaginal delivery was the most common mode of delivery (61.7%), followed by cesarean section (21.7%). Regarding fetal outcomes, live births accounted for 56.7%, while stillbirths, intrauterine deaths, and neonatal deaths accounted for 15.0%, 16.7%, and 11.7%, respectively. Male and female neonates were equally represented (50.0% each). Most newborns (35.0%) had a birth weight of 2.0–2.4 kg, and 58.3% had an Apgar score below 7.

Conclusion: Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, particularly eclampsia, were associated with substantial adverse maternal and fetal outcomes. Although over half of the pregnancies resulted in live births, considerable rates of stillbirth, intrauterine death, and neonatal death were observed. Additionally, a large proportion of neonates had low birth weight and suboptimal Apgar scores. These findings underscore the critical need for early detection, regular antenatal monitoring, and prompt management of preeclampsia and eclampsia to improve both maternal and neonatal outcomes.