Fetal prematurity and fullPIERS score in preeclampsia: a retrospective study

Abstract

Introduction: Hypertensive disorders in pregnancy, especially preeclampsia, are major causes of maternal and fetal mortality. Preeclampsia is a multisystemic disease of unknown etiology, characterized by hypertension after the 20th week of gestation and resolves postpartum. Fetal complications include intrauterine growth restriction and prematurity, increasing the risk of delays in neuropsychomotor development and chronic diseases in childhood. The fullPIERS model was developed to assess the risk of adverse maternal outcomes. Objective: This study aims to associate the fullPIERS score with fetal prematurity to expand its clinical use. Methods: A retrospective observational study was conducted with 75 patients diagnosed with preeclampsia between 2018 and 2022. Data were collected and analyzed using the chi-square method with a 95% confidence level. Results: The results showed that the average fullPIERS score was 4.77%, with a standard deviation of 11.08. The mean gestational age at delivery was 32.63 weeks, with a standard deviation of 4.16. The correlation between the fullPIERS score and gestational age at delivery was strong and negative (n=71; rs=−0.58; p<0.0001). Standardizing the evaluation and monitoring of preeclampsia with protocols that recognize the systemic inflammatory model of preeclampsia has been associated with reduced maternal morbidity and fetal complications. Conclusion: Thus, expanding the use of the fullPIERS score to predict outcomes such as retinopathy and delays in neuropsychomotor development is supported by the statistical significance of its correlation with prematurity.