A systolic blood pressure of 140 mmHg or higher, or a diastolic blood pressure of 90 mmHg or higher on two occasions at least 4 hours apart (or greater than or equal to 160/110 mmHg within a short interval) after 20 weeks of gestation in a woman with previously normal blood pressure. It may present with proteinuria but if not, it may be associated with thrombocytopenia, impaired liver function, progressive renal insufficiency, pulmonary edema, or new-onset cerebral or visual disturbances
Symptoms of Pre-eclampsia
The following features are indicative of Pre-eclampsia:
high blood pressure
fatigue
blurred vision
headache
nausea
swelling
weight gain
It is possible that Pre-eclampsia shows no physical symptoms and still is present in a patient.
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Common Causes of Pre-eclampsia
The following are the most common causes of Pre-eclampsia:
blood vessel problems
insufficient blood flow to the uterus
problem with the immune system
Risk Factors for Pre-eclampsia
The following factors may increase the likelihood of Pre-eclampsia:
history of preeclampsia
age older than 40 years
obesity
multiple pregnancy
history of chronic high blood pressure
during first pregnancy
Prevention of Pre-eclampsia
Yes, it may be possible to prevent Pre-eclampsia. Prevention may be possible by doing the following:
low-dose aspirin reduce risk
use calcium supplements
Occurrence of Pre-eclampsia
Number of Cases
The following are the number of Pre-eclampsia cases seen each year worldwide:
Very common > 10 Million cases
Common Age Group
Pre-eclampsia most commonly occurs in the following age group:
40 years of age or older
Common Gender
Pre-eclampsia most commonly occurs in the following gender:
Female
Lab Tests and Procedures for Diagnosis of Pre-eclampsia
The following lab tests and procedures are used to detect Pre-eclampsia:
Blood test: To check blood clotting factors, creatinine level, hematocrit, uric acid level, liver function, and platelet count
Urine test: To check protein levels in the urine
Fetal ultrasound: To measure baby's growth
Doctor for Diagnosis of Pre-eclampsia
Patients should visit the following specialists if they have symptoms of Pre-eclampsia:
Cardiologist
Gynaecologist
Complications of Pre-eclampsia if untreated
Yes, Pre-eclampsia causes complications if it is not treated. Below is the list of complications and problems that may arise if Pre-eclampsia is left untreated:
fetal growth restriction
preterm birth
placental abruption
hemolysis elevated liver enzymes and low platelet count (HELLP) syndrome
Self-care for Pre-eclampsia
The following self-care actions or lifestyle changes may help in the treatment or management of Pre-eclampsia:
Do regularly exercise: Help to reduce symptoms
Avoid smoking: Reduces the risk of pre-eclampsia
Patient Support for Treatment of Pre-eclampsia
The following actions may help Pre-eclampsia patients:
Learn about the disease: Helps in coping with the disease