Abstract

Background: Preeclampsia is a disorder of widespread vascular endothelial malfunction and vasospasm that occurs after 20 weeks' gestation and can present as late as 4-6 weeks post-partum. It is clinically defined by hypertension and proteinuria, with or without pathologic edema. Aim of the Work: is to study the effect of pravastatin given for primigravidae from 13th week to 16th week of gestation on the incidence of preeclampsia compared to a control group in Egyptian women. Subjects and methods: This prospective case control study included 400 pregnant women presenting for routine antenatal care at 13th to 16th weeks’ gestation at EL Sayed Galal Obstetric outpatient clinic, Al-Azhar University. Results: In our study, 16 cases developed preeclampsia in the control group (11 cases were severe and the remaining 5 were mild) with a percentage of 8% instead of 6 cases in the study group (4 cases were severe and 2 were mild) with a percentage of 3%. Conclusion: Pravastatin can be used as an effective agent in the prevention of preeclampsia in newborns within neonatal period including fetal weight, gestational age at time of delivery and NICU admission. However, extended follow up is needed till the age of 5 years to assess cognitive functions and school performance among children born for women who received pravastatin for prevention of preeclampsia.

Authors and Affiliations