Expectant management in pregnant women with early and severe preeclampsia and concomitant risk factors

Aim The aim of this study was to demonstrate that women with severe early-onset preeclampsia and concomitant risk factors benefit from expectant management. Methods This retrospective study was conducted between January 2009 and December 2010. Stable women with severe preeclampsia between 23 + 6 and 33 + 6 weeks of gestation were admitted to the IOCU for conservative management. They were classified into two groups: those with concomitant risk factors, i.e. associated medical conditions, HELLP syndrome, severe oligohydramnios, fetal growth restriction and multiple pregnancies (group A) and those without (group B). P values lesser than 0.05 were considered statistically significant. Results No significant differences were found in maternal and perinatal outcomes between groups. Neither were differences observed in pregnancy prolongation (mean: 8.42 days (SD ± 7.462) in group A and 10.5 days (SD ± 8.235) in group B (p = 0.391)). At the start of expectant management, 31.8% of fetuses had an abnormal middle cerebral artery Doppler; prior to delivery, this percentage was 77.4%. Conclusion Pregnant women with severe early-onset preeclampsia and associated risk factors benefited from expectant management. During expectant management using a continuous magnesium sulfate regimen, the majority of fetuses showed cerebral vasodilatation. The exact clinical value of this finding should be clarified in further studies. © 2013 International Society for the Study of Hypertension in Pregnancy Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.