Association between dietary patterns and pregnancy induced hypertension: a case control study from Sudan

BACKGROUND: Dietary patterns and its associated factors and can play an essential role in development of preeclampsia and implication in pregnancy-induced hypertension (PIH). OBJECTIVE: This study was performed to determine nutritional factors associated with PIH among pregnant women in Khartoum, Sudan. METHODS: This study was a case-control involving 100 women with PIH and 200 normotensive pregnant women. RESULTS: The mean current weight in the control and PIH groups was 70.25 ± 12.35 and 72.42 ± 12.33 kg; whereas the mean energy intake in the control and PIH groups was 1991.58 ±140.72 and 2154.37 ± 130.85 kcal, respectively. The study results indicated a significantly lower risk of PIH among women ingesting fruits and legumes (odds ratio, 8.44 and 4.07, respectively; 95% confidence interval; P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: PIH was positively associated with higher energy, fat, and protein intake. A lower risk of PIH was calculated for women whose dietary habits included fruits and legumes. Measures with which to ensure proper nutrition education are needed to obtain good health and pregnancy outcomes. PIH is a multifactorial disease with an unclear etiology, and the findings of this study will serve as a baseline for future studies in this field.