The economic burden of preeclampsia: a systematic review

Abstract

Objective: Preeclampsia is a serious pregnancy complication associated with substantial maternal and infant morbidity worldwide. The adverse outcomes related to preeclampsia increase healthcare costs, highlighting the importance of quantifying its economic burden to inform healthcare policy and resource allocation. This systematic review aimed to synthesize evidence on the economic burden of preeclampsia and identify key cost drivers. Methods: MEDLINE, PubMed, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Library were searched for English-language studies published between 2014 and 2024. Studies reporting healthcare resource utilization or costs associated with preeclampsia were included. The review followed PRISMA 2020 guidelines and was registered in PROSPERO (CRD42025650091). Results: Of 3,107 records identified, 12 studies were included; most were conducted in high-income countries. All cost estimates were converted to 2024 US dollars for comparability. Direct medical costs ranged from US$109.84 to US$87,339.71, with a mean cost of US$33,585.48 per patient. National healthcare system costs were estimated at €6.5–€9.1 million in Ireland and US$2.18 billion in the United States. Conclusion: Preterm birth was identified as a major driver of economic burden, with earlier gestational age significantly increasing maternal and infant costs. Indirect costs and regional disparities remain underexplored, highlighting important gaps for future research.