Sys Rev Pharm 2020;11(11):549-553 A multifaceted review journal in the field of pharmacy 549 Systematic Reviews in Pharmacy Vol 11, Issue 11, Nov-Dec 2020 Maternal Characteristics and Perinatal Outcomes in Women with Severe Preeclampsia Cipta Pramana a , Kartika Budi Peranawengrum a , Velisa Juliani a , Citramas Laras a , Ni Nyoman Harini Luxzi a , Agus Supinganto b , Nur Aini Staryo c , Nurhidayah d , Kholis Ernawati e , Selasih Putri Isnawati Hadi f , Giri Respati g a Medical Faculty Tarumanagara Jakarta, Indonesia b Stikes Yarsi Mataram, Indonesia c Universitas Respati Yogyakarta, Indonesia d STIKes Mitra RIA Husada Jakarta, Indonesia e Faculty of Medicine, Universitas YARSI, Jakarta Indonesia f College of Health Science Guna Bangsa Yogyakarta,Indonesia g Pondok Indah Hospital Jakarta, Indonesia Correspondence: Cipta Pramana Email: pramanacipta@yahoo.com Abstract Introduction: Preeclampsia is a major healthcare problem in Indonesia. Early detection and prompt treatment serve an important role in preventing complications caused by preeclampsia. Previous studies have described risk factors of preeclampsia with the majority of studies undertaken in developed countries. This study aims to evaluate the maternal characteristics and perinatal outcomes of patients with severe preeclampsia in Semarang, Indonesia. Methods: This was a cross-sectional descriptive study conducted in K.R.M.T. Wongsonegoro General Hospital Semarang. A sample of women with severe preeclampsia who were treated between January and December 2018 Were reviewed through medical records. Variables regarding maternal characteristics and perinatal outcomes were documented. Data were analysed with SPSS vs. 22. Results: Most patients fall into the age category of 20-34 years. The majority were obese, multigravida and multiparous. Most patients delivered through cesarean section. Most patients had no prior use of contraception. Maternal history was significant for chronic hypertension. Two patients were admitted to the ICU due to severe hypoalbuminemia and impending eclampsia. Despite the high prematurity rate, most neonates fall into the normal birth weight category. Conclusion: Preeclampsia remains a major healthcare problem in Indonesia. Indeed, there are some discrepancies in maternal characteristics in this study with previous studies. This suggests that maternal characteristics of patients with severe preeclampsia in Indonesia might be different from that of developed countries due to different population characteristics. This concludes that all women of all backgrounds should be screened during antenatal visits as this can aid in early detection and prompt treatment of severe preeclampsia. Keywords: severe preeclampsia, perinatal outcomes, maternal characteristics Correspondence: Cipta Pramana Email: pramanacipta@yahoo.com INTRODUCTION According to the World Health Organization (WHO), maternal mortality is extremely high. In 2017, approximately 295.000 women died due to complications from pregnancy and childbirth. Preeclampsia is a major healthcare problem and a leading cause of maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality in Indonesia. Also, previous data shows that women in low-resource countries are at a higher risk of developing preeclampsia compared with those in high- resource countries. 1 Preeclampsia is the presence of hypertension with organ dysfunction after 20 weeks of gestation. The exact pathogenesis of preeclampsia remains unclear. 2 Previous studies show few risk factors that are associated with the development of preeclampsia: nulliparity, chronic hypertension, obesity, chronic renal disease, multiple gestation and age of >40. 2 Previous histories of preeclampsia are correlated with a higher risk of developing preeclampsia in the current pregnancy. The diagnosis of preeclampsia requires two criteria: 1. Elevated blood pressure (BP≥140/90 mmHg) after 20 weeks of gestation in a woman with previously normal blood pressure; 2. Presence of proteinuria (≥ 0.3 mg protein in 24-hour urine specimen) or new onset of symptoms in the absence of proteinuria. 3,4 Preeclampsia is further divided into mild and severe based on the degree of severity and symptoms. 5 Severe preeclampsia is diagnosed when blood pressure increases ≥160/110 mmHg with or without signs and symptoms of end-organ damage. 4