Preeclampsia
P R E E C L A M P S I A
Preeclampsia is a pregnancy complication
characterized by high blood pressure and signs
of damage to another organ system, most often
the liver and kidneys. A pregnancy condition
marked by elevated blood pressure and
symptoms of organ damage , most commonly
the liver and kidneys Preeclampsia develops
after 20 weeks of pregnancy in women who
previously had normal blood pressure.
Symptoms
SYMPTOMS OF
PREECLAMPSIA.
Preeclampsia sometimes develops without any
symptoms High blood pressure may develop slowly,
or it may have a sudden onset.
Other signs and symptoms of preeclampsia may
include :
Excess protein in your urine ( proteinuria ) or
additional signs of kidney problems
Severe headaches
Changes in vision , including temporary loss of
vision, blurred vision or light sensitivity
Upper abdominal pain , usually under your ribs
on the right side
Nausea or vomiting
Decreased urine output Decreased levels of
platelets in your blood (thrombocytopenía )
Impaired liver function
Shortness of breath , caused by in your lungs
How to treat
Preeclampsia?
Delivery remains the ultimate treatment for
preeclampsia. Although maternal and fetal risks must be
weighed in determining the timing of delivery, clear
indications for delivery exist. When possible, vaginal
delivery is preferable to avoid the added physiologic
stressors of cesarean delivery. If cesarean delivery
must be used, regional anesthesia is preferred because
it carries less maternal risk.
In the presence of coagulopathy, use of regional
anesthesia generally is contraindicated.
During labor, the management goals are to prevent
seizures and control hypertension.4 Magnesium sulfate
is the medication of choice for the prevention of
eclamptic seizures in women with severe preeclampsia
and for the treatment of women with eclamptic
seizures. One commonly used regimen is a 6-g loading
dose of magnesium sulfate followed by a continuous
infusion at a rate of 2 g per hour. Magnesium sulfate has
been shown to be superior to phenytoin (Dilantin) and
diazepam (Valium) for the treatment of eclamptic
seizures.
Antihypertensive drug therapy is recommended for
pregnant women with systolic blood pressures of 160 to
180 mm Hg or higher24 and diastolic blood pressures of
105 to 110 mm Hg or higher. The treatment goal is to
lower systolic pressure to 140 to 155 mm Hg and
diastolic pressure to 90 to 105 mm Hg. To avoid
hypotension, blood pressure should be lowered
gradually.
Women with preeclampsia should be counseled about
future pregnancies. In nulliparous women with
preeclampsia before 30 weeks of gestation, the
recurrence rate for the disorder may be as high as 40
percent in future pregnancies.5 Multiparous women
have even higher rates of recurrence.
Prevention
HOW TO PREVENT
PREECLAMPSIA
Taking a baby aspirin daily has been
demonstrated to decrease your risk of
developing preeclampsia by approximately
15%.
If
you
have
risk
factors
for
preeclampsia, your healthcare provider may
recommend
starting
aspirin
in
early
pregnancy (by 12 weeks gestation).
Doctor
WHEN TO SEE A DOCTOR?
Preeclampsia can be a fatal condition during
pregnancy. If you're being treated for this condition,
make sure to see your healthcare provider for all of
your appointments and blood or urine tests. Contact
your obstetrician if you have any concerns or questions
about your symptoms.
Go to the nearest hospital if you're pregnant and
experience the following:
Symptoms of a seizure-like twitching or convulsing.
Shortness of breath.
Sharp pain in your abdomen (specifically the right
side).
Blurry vision.
Severe headache that won't go away.
Dark spots in your vision that don't go away.