General Information About Preeclampsia
Disease Details and Frequently Asked Questions
It is a condition where a woman whose blood pressure was normal before pregnancy suddenly experiences a dangerous spike in blood pressure and protein leakage from the kidneys during the second half of pregnancy (after the 20th week).
Although the exact cause is not fully understood, it is generally accepted to occur because the blood vessels supplying the placenta (the baby's life support) fail to implant and develop properly in the uterus, causing spasms throughout the mother's entire vascular system.
Mild preeclampsia may not show any symptoms. When it becomes severe, symptoms include persistent headaches, blurred/dark vision, pain under the right rib, and severe swelling (edema) suddenly appearing in the hands and face.
It is the fatal stage of preeclampsia where the condition is untreated and worsens; the high blood pressure affects the brain, causing the pregnant woman to experience full-body convulsions and loss of consciousness, much like an epileptic seizure.
In the mother, it can cause brain hemorrhage, liver/kidney failure, or HELLP syndrome. Because vascular spasms reduce blood flow to the baby, it can lead to growth retardation in the baby or intrauterine death.
The only definitive and final cure for preeclampsia is delivery (removing the baby and placenta). If the baby is sufficiently grown, a cesarean section or induced labor is performed immediately. If it is in the early weeks, the mother is kept under strict hospital observation with magnesium sulfate (to prevent seizures) and blood pressure medications until the baby develops.
Our health library contents are prepared for informational purposes only and with scientific data available at the time of recording. For all your questions, concerns, diagnosis, or treatment regarding your health, please consult your doctor or a healthcare institution.
