High risk human papillomavirus at entry to prenatal care and risk of preeclampsia.

Objective: To determine the association between high-risk human papillomavirus (HR-HPV) and preeclampsia.

Methods: Retrospective cohort study of women with HR-HPV at entry to prenatal care compared with those with at least 2 normal pap smears. Preeclampsia was defined by clinical guidelines. Unadjusted and adjusted analyses were performed.

Results: Three hundred fourteen women with HR-HPV matched with 628 women with normal pap smears. Exposed HR-HPV patients were younger, had lower body mass index, systolic and diastolic blood pressure at entry to care, and more likely to be nulliparous and smokers. Exposed HR-HPV patients were more likely to develop preeclampsia (10.19% vs 4.94%; P = .004; adjusted odds ratio, 2.18; 95% confidence interval, 1.31-3.65). Women with HR-HPV were also more likely to deliver prematurely at less than 37 and less than 35 weeks.

Conclusion: HR-HPV is associated with an almost 2-fold increased risk of developing preeclampsia. This warrants a larger study, particularly when HPV infection can be prevented with vaccination.