Trends in the incidence of pre-eclampsia and eclampsia in Taiwan between 1998 and 2010

OBJECTIVE: The aim of our study was to determine the relationship between age and the incidence of pre-eclampsia and eclampsia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We analyzed data collected by the National Health Insurance Bureau between 1998 and 2010. Data were obtained from the Taiwanese Department of Health website and the Department of Internal Affairs. RESULTS: The incidence of pre-eclampsia increased significantly (from 0.87% to 1.21%), but the incidence of eclampsia did not change significantly (from 0.04% to 0.05%) between 1998 and 2010. The incidence of pre-eclampsia in the 20-24-year age group was 0.60 ± 0.09%. The relative risk of pre-eclampsia in the different age groups was as follows: aged <20 years, 1.02-fold (p = 1.0); 25-29 years, 1.35-fold (p = 0.041); 30-34 years, 1.79-fold (p < 0.001); 35-39 years, 2.99-fold (p < 0.001); and ≥40 years, 5.13-fold (p < 0.001). The incidence of eclampsia in the 20-24-year age group was 0.04 ± 0.01%. The incidence of eclampsia in only the ≥40-years age group significantly increased by 2.49-fold (p = 0.001). CONCLUSION: The incidence of pre-eclampsia was correlated with maternal age. The incidence of pre-eclampsia was the lowest in the 20-24-year age group and soared in the >35-year age groups.