Relationship Between Hypertension History and Nutritional Status with the Incidence of Preeclampsia in Pregnant Women: Literature Review
Abstract
Preeclampsia is one of the leading causes of perinatal morbidity and mortality worldwide, particularly in developing countries. High intake of saturated fats, pro-inflammatory diets, and excess body weight increase the risk of hypertension during pregnancy. A history of hypertension and maternal nutritional status are recognized as important risk factors contributing to the occurrence of preeclampsia. This literature review aimed to determine the relationship between a history of hypertension and nutritional status with the incidence of preeclampsia in pregnant women, based on several sources obtained through the internet, including research findings from international and national journals, citations from the Faculty of Medicine UMI, ClinicalKey, textbooks, and conference proceedings published between 2015 and 2026. The review findings indicate that the majority of studies reported that a history of hypertension significantly increases the risk of preeclampsia. In addition, excessive nutritional status such as overweight and obesity is strongly associated with a higher incidence of preeclampsia through mechanisms involving chronic inflammation, insulin resistance, oxidative stress, and endothelial dysfunction. Conversely, undernutrition and deficiencies of certain micronutrients may worsen the risk through impaired placental perfusion. The combination of a history of hypertension and suboptimal nutritional status exerts a synergistic effect on increasing the risk of preeclampsia. It is concluded that a history of hypertension and nutritional status are important determinants of preeclampsia; therefore, preconception screening, blood pressure control, and nutritional interventions need to be strengthened as preventive strategies.
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