Obstet Gynecol Surv. 2026 Jan 1;81(1):5-7. doi: 10.1097/01.ogx.0001179548.39409.03. Epub 2026 Jan 19.
ABSTRACT
Preeclampsia affects ~8% of pregnancies and is a leading cause of maternal and neonatal morbidity and mortality. From 2007 to 2019, rates of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, including gestational hypertension and preeclampsia, doubled in the United States. This trend coincides with a rise in maternal mortality, which is now the highest among high-income nations. These statistics support the need to develop risk stratification tools that help to prevent and treat preeclampsia. Efforts to develop these risk assessments have not been successful in reproductive medicine, especially for preeclampsia. The US Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) has recommended a risk-based approach using clinical and demographic factors and, for individuals at increased risk, treatment with low-dose aspirin prophylaxis (AP) starting at 12 weeks of gestation. The aim of this study was to assess the proportions of a racially and geographically diverse population classified as low, moderate, or high risk for preeclampsia according to USPSTF criteria. This was a prospective cohort study conducted at 11 medical centers across the United States or through direct recruitment via social media. Included were individuals with singleton pregnancies who were 18 years or older and enrolled in the study before 22 weeks’ gestation between July 2020 and March 2023. Participants were classified as high risk if they had at least 1 high-risk condition based on the USPSTF criteria. Participants were classified as moderate risk if they had ≥1 moderate risk factors but no high risk factors (moderate +1 risk category); this group was further subdivided into 2 categories: moderate 1 risk (defined as those with only 1 moderate risk factor) and moderate 2+ risk (those with ≥2 moderate risk factors). Those in the low-risk category had no high or moderate risk factors. AP recommendation with or without a prescription was the effect modification. The primary outcome was preeclampsia. A total of 5684 people were included in the analysis. The study population was identified as Asian (4.7%), black (21%), Hispanic (17.4%), white (48.6%), and other (8.3%). About 12% and 11% of participants were diagnosed with preeclampsia and gestational hypertension that progressed to preeclampsia, respectively. There were 18.5% in the high-risk category and 11.2% in the low-risk category. Approximately 70.3% were in the moderate +1 risk category, which was subdivided into the moderate risk 1 category (34.4%) and the moderate risk 2+ category (35.9%). While the incidence of preeclampsia varied by race, limited information was gleaned for sensitivity and specificity. A significantly increased risk of preeclampsia was observed in those with prior preeclampsia [risk ratio (RR), 1.44; 95% CI, 1.25-1.65; P<0.001] or chronic hypertension (RR, 1.26; 95% CI, 1.10-1.44; P=0.001). Much of the statistical significance was lost for moderate risk factors, and none of the racial categories were associated with increased risk. About 47% of participants with ≥1 risk factor received an AP recommendation. Those with a history of preeclampsia, chronic hypertension, diabetes, or a combination of these conditions before pregnancy were more likely to receive an AP recommendation. In conclusion, the USPSTF criteria for assessing the risk of developing preeclampsia were found to be associated with an increased risk of preeclampsia. The USPSTF risk assessment, examining the moderate risk for preeclampsia, was more weakly associated, and recommendations for AP were more effectively initiated in both high- and low-risk categories. (Abstracted from JAMA Network Open. 2025;8:32521792.).
PMID:41557918 | DOI:10.1097/01.ogx.0001179548.39409.03
