Does leisure time physical activity in early pregnancy protect against pre-eclampsia? Prospective cohort in Danish women

ML Osterdal, M Strom, AK Klemmensen, VK Knudsen, M Juhl, TI Halldorsson, AM Nybo Andersen, P Magnus, SF Olsen

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

53 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Objective To examine the association between physical activity in early pregnancy and risk of pre-eclampsia.

Design Prospective cohort.

Setting Denmark.

Population A total of 85 139 pregnant Danish women, recruited between 1996 and 2002.

Methods The authors assessed leisure time physical activity in first trimester by a telephone interview and categorised women a priori into seven groups: 0 (reference), 1–44, 45–74, 75–149, 150–269, 270–419 and 420+ minutes/week. Pre-eclampsia diagnoses were extracted from the Danish National Patient Registry. A number of potential confounders were adjusted for by logistic regression.

Main outcome measures Pre-eclampsia and severe pre-eclampsia.

Results The two highest physical activity levels were associated with increased risk of severe pre-eclampsia compared with the nonexercising group, with adjusted odds ratios of 1.65 (95% CI: 1.11–2.43) and 1.78 (95% CI: 1.07–2.95), whereas more moderate levels of physical activity (1–270 minutes/week) had no statistically significant association with risk of pre-eclampsia (total n = 85 139).

Conclusions We were unable to document a protective effect of leisure time physical activity against pre-eclampsia. Our data even suggest that leisure time physical activity exceeding 270 minutes/week in first trimester may increase risk of severe pre-eclampsia.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)98-107
Number of pages10
JournalBJOG - an international journal of obstetrics and gynaecology
Volume116
Issue number1
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 12 Dec 2008

Keywords

  • physical activity
  • pre-eclampsia
  • prospective cohort
  • pregnancy

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