Risk factors of preeclampsia in Nigeria and Poland

Preeclampsia is one of the most important complications in pregnancy and is a threat to the health and life of women and fetuses. According to conservative estimates, these illnesses cause 76,000 maternal and 500,000 newborn deaths annually [1, 2]. Preeclampsia occurs seven times more frequently in developing nations than in industrialized countries, according to estimates from the World Health Organization [3, 4]. Preeclampsia occurs 3–5% of the time in most industrialized nations and 2–10% of the time globally [5]. It was discovered as a serious health concern because it contributes to both maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality globally. The occurrence of preeclampsia is associated with a high risk for the course of pregnancy. It is estimated that 10% of pregnant women in the world die of preeclampsia [6].
Preeclampsia is related to placental dysfunction and disturbed vascular growth [7]. Several studies have suggested that dysfunction of placental mitochondria can play a crucial role in disrupting placental growth and function [8, 9]. Furthermore, inadequate adaptation of maternal arteries supplying the placenta, leading to insufficient placental perfusion, is often the underlying cause of preeclampsia [10]. Several studies have indicated correlations between placental location, blood supply, and pregnancy outcomes [11–14]. There is evidence that placenta dysfunction may be recognized as a critical factor in the development of preeclampsia [15].
Preeclampsia is common in Nigeria, where 37,000 women are affected annually [16]. In Southern Nigeria, the prevalence rate of preeclampsia ranges from 5.6% to 7.6% of pregnancies [17]. The findings from a recent multicenter study conducted in Nigeria highlight the substantial impact of preeclampsia on maternal morbidity and mortality. Efforts to reduce the mortality of pregnant women in Nigeria focus on building the capacity to recognize early symptoms of preeclampsia and addressing the appropriate treatment of this disease during pregnancy [18, 19].
High maternal and perinatal mortality from preeclampsia is caused by delays in diagnosis and lack of access to adequate therapy [20]. It is highlighted that in most African countries including Nigeria, appropriate prevention should be used to reduce the risk of preeclampsia [4]. The prevention of preeclampsia could be accomplished by losing weight and regular exercise and reducing stress in nonpregnant patients. During pregnancy, nutritional and pharmacological factors such as calcium, magnesium, and antioxidant intake, reducing salt intake, and low-dose aspirin before 16 weeks in high-risk groups, play a great role in the prevention of preeclampsia. Moreover, effective treatment of chronic hypertension and reducing stressful situations during pregnancy are important to decrease the risk of preeclampsia development [21].
Screening and better monitoring of women with high-risk factors may help in the prevention, early diagnosis, and treatment of preeclampsia.
This narrative review aims to determine the risk factors associated with the occurrence of preeclampsia in pregnant women in Nigeria and Poland. Identifying these factors may help to minimize the risk of complications during pregnancy (Figure 1).