Global Population Trends in Cardiomyopathy, Pulmonary Edema, and Acute Kidney Injury Among Women With Preeclampsia: A WHO Database Study

Authors

  • Samia Butt
  • Amber Shams
  • Saba Hameed
  • Kashif Ali
  • Ghazala Rustam

Keywords:

Preeclampsia, Cardiomyopathy, Pulmonary Edema, Acute Kidney Injury, WHO Database, Maternal Morbidity, Hypertensive Disorders of Pregnancy, ,Pathophysiology of Cardiopulmonary and Renal Complications in Preeclampsia

Abstract

Background Preeclampsia is a major hypertensive disorder of pregnancy and remains one of the leading causes of maternal morbidity and mortality worldwide. While its classical manifestations include hypertension and proteinuria, preeclampsia is increasingly recognized as a systemic endothelial disorder with serious cardiovascular, pulmonary, and renal consequences. Severe maternal complications such as cardiomyopathy, pulmonary edema, and acute kidney injury (AKI) substantially increase the risk of intensive care admission, prolonged hospitalization, and long-term maternal morbidity. However, population-level global trends of these complications have not been comprehensively evaluated.

Objective

To assess global population trends in cardiomyopathy, pulmonary edema, and acute kidney injury among women with preeclampsia using data derived from the World Health Organization (WHO) global database.

Methods: A retrospective population-based observational study was conducted using aggregated WHO database reports. Women diagnosed with preeclampsia were identified, and reported cases of cardiomyopathy, pulmonary edema, and AKI were extracted. Temporal trends, geographic distribution, and relative burden of complications were evaluated using descriptive epidemiological methods.

Results: Across the study period, a consistent increase in reported cardiopulmonary and renal complications among women with preeclampsia was observed globally. Acute kidney injury was the most frequently reported complication, followed by pulmonary edema and cardiomyopathy. The burden was disproportionately higher in low- and middle-income countries. Temporal analysis revealed rising trends over recent years, likely reflecting improved surveillance, increasing maternal age, higher prevalence of metabolic comorbidities, and delayed access to antenatal care.

Conclusion: Preeclampsia is increasingly associated with severe cardiopulmonary and renal complications worldwide. These findings highlight the urgent need for strengthened antenatal surveillance, early identification of high-risk women, and integrated multidisciplinary management strategies to reduce preventable maternal morbidity and mortality

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Published

2025-12-17

How to Cite

1.
Butt S, Shams A, Hameed S, Ali K, Rustam G. Global Population Trends in Cardiomyopathy, Pulmonary Edema, and Acute Kidney Injury Among Women With Preeclampsia: A WHO Database Study. J Neonatal Surg [Internet]. 2025 Dec. 17 [cited 2026 Feb. 3];13(1). Available from: https://jneonatalsurg.com/index.php/jns/article/view/9709

Issue

Vol. 13 (2024): Journal of Neonatal Surgery

Section

Original Article

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Copyright (c) 2023 Samia Butt, Amber Shams, Saba Hameed, Kashif Ali, Ghazala Rustam

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