ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION: Preeclampsia is a major cause of maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality in Brazil and worldwide. It is a heterogeneous and multifactorial disorder, with no clear etiology and pathophysiology. The identification of risk factors for its development may help in prevention and early diagnosis of disease clinical onset. OBJECTIVES: To identify risk factors and complications of pre-eclampsia (PE) and gestational hypertension (GH) in a population of primiparas, who had birth care at the Ceilandia Regional Hospital of Brasilia - Federal District. METHODS: Case-control study was conducted from November 2009 to December 2010 in a population of primiparas. We included all primiparas diagnosed with PE/GH, with random choice of normotensive primiparas in a ratio of 1:3. The variables studied as socio-demographic, obstetric, maternal and perinatal complications were collected using pre-tested questionnaire, after informed consent of the pregnant women. Chi-square and Fisher's multiple comparison were used in the data analysis, considering results significant when p <0.05. RESULTS: Among 1264 primiparas analyzed, 972 (76.9%) were normotensive and 292 (23.1%) hypertensive patients, being 64 (22%) with gestational hypertension and 228 (78%) with PE. Risk factors such as maternal age over 35years, women whose mother and/or sister with chronic hypertension history or who developed hypertension during pregnancy, use of male condom as a contraceptive method, obesity and excessive weight gain during pregnancy showed statistically significant correlation with development of the pathology. CONCLUSION: The development of gestational hypertensive syndrome in primiparous women is associated with family history and obesity, factors that can be used as screening for early identification of patients at risk of PE development.