Preeclampsia: hospital incidence, predictive factors, and maternal–fetal complications in a cohort of women followed in two Cameroonian referral hospitals

Background Preeclampsia is a frequent cause of maternal–fetal morbidity and mortality, and remains difficult to control in sub-Saharan Africa. The aim of our study was to assess the incidence, describe maternal–fetal complications due to preeclampsia, and identify its predictive factors in a cohort of women followed in two referral hospitals in Yaoundé, Cameroon. Methods We conducted a prospective study at the Yaoundé Central Hospital (HCY) and the Yaoundé Gyneco-Obstetric and Pediatric Hospital (HGOPY), in which we followed 146 pregnant women over a 10-month period. Univariable and multivariable logistic regressions were performed to identify predictive factors for preeclampsia. Results The mean age of participants was 30.7 ± 5.7 years, and most were 20–34 years old (78%). The hospital incidence of preeclampsia during the study period was 31.5% (46/146). The most frequent maternal–fetal complications following preeclampsia were cesarean delivery (62/146; 42%) and prematurity (36/146; 25%). Independent predictors of preeclampsia were: a personal history of hypertension (aOR = 3.55; 95% CI 2.64–15.41; p  < .001), WHO class I obesity (aOR = 4.19; 95% CI 1.47–15.69; p  = .019), a history of preeclampsia (aOR = 4.31; 95% CI 1.23–17.2; p  = .026), and gestational age < 34 weeks (vs ≥ 37 weeks: aOR = 6.08; 95% CI 2.30–18.96; p  < .001). Conclusion Preeclampsia showed a high hospital incidence, with cesarean delivery and prematurity as frequent outcomes; it was independently predicted by a personal history of hypertension, WHO class I obesity, a history of preeclampsia, and gestational age < 34 weeks.