Frequency of consumption of specific food items and symptoms of preeclampsia and eclampsia in Indian women

Background: Preeclampsia/eclampsia is responsible for upwards of 20% of maternal morbidity and mortality in developing countries. Objective: We examined the relationship between frequency of food intake and symptoms of preeclampsia eclampsia and eclampsia among Indian women aged 15-49 (n = 39,657) for the most recent live birth in the 5 years preceding the National Family Health Survey-3 (2005-2006). Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to estimate the association between frequency of intake of specific food items, and self-reported symptoms of preeclampsia eclampsia and eclampsia, adjusting for maternal age, and other potential socio-demographic confounders. Results: Daily consumption of milk or curd (odds ratio [OR]: 0.88; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.81-0.96), green leafy vegetables, chicken/meat and weekly pulses/beans consumption are associated with substantially lower risk of preeclampsia eclampsia. Eclampsia risk is higher among those who consumed fruits (ORs ranges from 1.18 to 1.44) and chicken/meat occasionally (OR: 1.28; 95% CI: 1.11-1.48), and lower among those consuming vegetables daily. Conclusion: Frequency of consumption of specific food items is associated with occurrence of preeclampsia eclampsia and eclampsia symptoms in Indian women.