Among the following, which is the single strongest established risk factor for developing pre-eclampsia in a current pregnancy?
- A Previous pre-eclampsia in an earlier pregnancy ✓
- B Maternal age above 30 years
- C Male fetus
- D Smoking during pregnancy
Correct answer: A. Previous pre-eclampsia in an earlier pregnancy
Explanation
B history of pre-eclampsia in a previous pregnancy confers one of the highest relative risks, often cited as several-fold above baseline, and it qualifies a woman as high-risk warranting aspirin prophylaxis. Maternal age over 35 to 40 years carries only modestly increased risk, smoking paradoxically reduces pre-eclampsia incidence, and fetal sex is not an independent major risk factor.
Reference: Williams Obstetrics, 26th ed.
High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP
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