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Chapters

0:00 Introduction
2:08 Causes of Pre-eclampsia
3:22 Symptoms of Pre-eclampsia
3:55 Diagnosis of Pre-eclampsia
4:39 Treatment of Pre-eclampsia




Pre-eclampsia is a disorder of pregnancy characterized by the onset of high blood pressure and often a significant amount of protein in the urine.[1][8] When it arises, the condition begins after 20 weeks of pregnancy.[2][3] In severe cases of the disease there may be red blood cell breakdown, a low blood platelet count, impaired liver function, kidney dysfunction, swelling, shortness of breath due to fluid in the lungs, or visual disturbances.[2][3] Pre-eclampsia increases the risk of undesirable outcomes for both the mother and the baby.[3] If left untreated, it may result in seizures at which point it is known as eclampsia.[2]

Risk factors for pre-eclampsia include obesity, prior hypertension, older age, and diabetes mellitus.[2][4] It is also more frequent in a woman's first pregnancy and if she is carrying twins.[2] The underlying mechanism involves abnormal formation of blood vessels in the placenta amongst other factors.[2] Most cases are diagnosed before delivery. Rarely, pre-eclampsia may begin in the period after delivery.[3] While historically both high blood pressure and protein in the urine were required to make the diagnosis, some definitions also include those with hypertension and any associated organ dysfunction.[3][9] Blood pressure is defined as high when it is greater than 140 mmHg systolic or 90 mmHg diastolic at two separate times, more than four hours apart in a woman after twenty weeks of pregnancy.[3] Pre-eclampsia is routinely screened for during prenatal care.[10][11]

Recommendations for prevention include: aspirin in those at high risk, calcium supplementation in areas with low intake, and treatment of prior hypertension with medications.[4][5] In those with pre-eclampsia delivery of the baby and placenta is an effective treatment.[4] When delivery becomes recommended depends on how severe the pre-eclampsia and how far along in pregnancy a woman is.[4] Blood pressure medication, such as labetalol and methyldopa, may be used to improve the mother's condition before delivery.[6] Magnesium sulfate may be used to prevent eclampsia in those with severe disease.[4] Bedrest and salt intake have not been found to be useful for either treatment or prevention.[3][4]