Abstract
Hyperviscosity of the maternal blood has been reported to be associated with an increased incidence of adverse perinatal outcome in preeclampsia. We related the changes in maternal blood viscosity to perinatal outcome in 47 preeclamptic, nulliparous, black Jamaican women. A group of 49 non‐preeclamptic, nulliparous, gestation‐matched women acted as controls. Perinatal outcome was also compared between the women with high blood viscosity (≥5 mPa.s) and those with low blood viscosity (<5 mPa.s) in both the preeclamptic and non‐preeclamptic groups. Data was analysed by the comparison of two proportions, the chi‐squared test, the Fisher's exact test and the Pearson's correlation method. The level of statistical significance was taken at p<0.05. The incidence of adverse perinatal outcome was significantly (p<0.001) higher in the preeclamptic women as compared with that of the non‐preeclamptic controls. However, of interest, was the fact that within the preeclamptic group, the incidence of adverse perinatal outcome was significantly (p=0.001, Fisher's exact test) higher in those with low blood viscosity as compared with those with high blood viscosity. These results suggest that low maternal blood viscosity may be related to increased incidence of adverse perinatal outcome in Jamaican women with preeclampsia.