STUDY OF PRE-ECLAMPSIA AMONG WORKERS AND NON-WORKERS IN ALEXANDRIA

Abstract

Pre-eclampsia IS a multifactorial disease which IS usually accompanied by fetal and maternal morbidity and mortality. There is a genetic susceptibility to pre-eclampsia. Immune mechanisms are indulged in the etiology of pre-eclampsia which is characterised by generalised disturbance in endothelial physiology.

Several risk factors play a crucial role in the development of pre• eclampsia. These factors include, young maternal age, previous pre• eclampsia, twin pregnancy, chronic hypertension, diabetes mellitus and hydatidiform mole. Moreover, systolic blood pressure, pre-pregnancy obesity, number of previous abortions or miscarriages and smoking are considered important risk factors for development of pre-eclampsia. Systolic blood pressure is a better predictor of pre-eclampsia than either diastolic or mean arterial blood pressure.

The relationship between occupational exposures and the risk of pregnancy induced hypertension was subjected to various studies. N ulliparous were found to have a significant increased risk compared to parous women. The incidence of pre-eclampsia has been reported as ranging from 2. 5 to 7% in the United States. In Alexandria (Egypt) the incidence was found to be 2%. A WHO study was conducted in Egypt in the period between March 1981 and September 1984, 10% of mothers (on the study) had pre• eclampsia.