Pre-eclampsia
Pre-eclampsia (formerly called toxemia of pregnancy) is a pregnancy-related condition that causes high blood pressure and affects the mother's kidneys, liver, brain, and placenta. Its cause is unknown. Pre-eclampsia affects 5% to 7% of all pregnancies and most commonly occurs during first pregnancies.1
Although pre-eclampsia usually develops after the 20th week of pregnancy, it can very rarely begin earlier. Pre-eclampsia can develop gradually or suddenly, and may remain mild or become severe. If untreated, pre-eclampsia may damage the mother's liver or kidneys, deprive the fetus of oxygen, and cause eclampsia (seizures).
Signs of pre-eclampsia include:
- Elevated blood pressure (generally 140/90 mm Hg or higher). Any large increase in blood pressure should alert a woman and her doctor to possible risk.
- Persistent headache.
- Vision problems, such as blinking lights or blurry vision.
- Pain in the upper right abdomen.
- Lab results indicating elevated uric acid and/or protein in the urine (proteinuria).
- Swelling of the hands and face that does not go away during the day. This symptom of normal pregnancy may be a sign of pre-eclampsia if it is accompanied by other signs of pre-eclampsia.
A woman with any signs of pre-eclampsia is closely monitored by her doctor or midwife. Moderate pre-eclampsia is treated in the hospital with bed rest, magnesium sulfate, and sometimes medication for high blood pressure. Delivery is the only true “cure” for pre-eclampsia.
When a woman has severe pre-eclampsia or is near term with mild to moderate pre-eclampsia, delivery is the best treatment. Labour may be started with medication, unless a caesarean section is deemed necessary.
Within the first few days following delivery, the mother's blood pressure usually returns to normal; with severe pre-eclampsia, it may take several weeks for blood pressure to return to normal.2
| Author: | Shannon Erstad, MBA/MPH | Last Updated: January 23, 2008 |
| Medical Review: | Renée M. Crichlow, MD - Family Medicine Kirtly Jones, MD - Obstetrics and Gynecology | |
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