Incidencia de preeclampsia en embarazadas de 15 a 25 años que acuden al Hospital General Liborio Panchana Sotomayor durante el periodo de enero a diciembre del año 2024.

Abstract

Introduction: Preeclampsia is a pregnancy complication that affects between 2 % and 8 % of all pregnant women and carries a risk of maternal and perinatal morbidity. In Ecuador, up to date data on its incidence in young women are lacking. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of preeclampsia in pregnant women aged 15 to 25 years treated at the Hospital General Liborio Panchana Sotomayor from January to December 2024 and to explore its associations with sociodemographic and obstetric factors. Methodology: An observational, retrospective, cross sectional, descriptive study was conducted. A sample of 505 pregnant women with a definitive diagnosis of preeclampsia or without the condition was obtained. Sociodemographic variables (age, educational level, ethnicity, insurance, place of residence), anthropometric measures (weight, BMI), toxic habits, family history, and obstetric history were recorded. Results: The incidence of preeclampsia was 5.9 %. No significant associations were found with age, BMI, smoking or alcohol habits, family history, parity, week of diagnosis, or type of delivery. In contrast, educational level showed a statistically significant association: women with no formal education accounted for 17.6 % of cases (p = 0.011). Additionally, although the number of Black patients was small, all of them developed preeclampsia. Conclusion: Preeclampsia in young pregnant women at this hospital aligns with regional reports, but classic determinants (age, BMI, habits) proved less relevant than educational and ethnic inequalities. These findings highlight the need for prospective multicenter studies to validate and deepen understanding of the sociocultural factors involved.