Epidemiology
While the exact incidence is unknown, preeclampsia has been reported to affect between 2% and 8% of all pregnancies worldwide.[3]
The incidence of severe disease and complications varies. Severe disease, which is associated with an increased risk of morbidity and mortality, has an incidence of only 0.5% in the developed world, but rises to over 1% in low-income countries.[4][5] Similarly, the incidence of complications such as eclampsia is also variable. In the developed countries of North America and Europe the incidence of eclampsia is estimated to be 5 to 7 cases in 10,000 deliveries.[6] However, in low-income countries the incidence of eclampsia is significantly higher, with estimates in some countries as high as 1 case in 100 pregnancies.[6]
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