Preeclampsia

Preeclampsia is a serious pregnancy complication that typically develops after the 20th week of gestation (or rarely shortly after childbirth).

It is characterized by high blood pressure (hypertension) and protein loss in the urine (proteinuria), which is a sign of damage to other organs, most often the kidneys and liver. Preeclampsia is considered a placental disease, with the assumption that its inadequate formation leads to the release of substances that cause generalized damage to the mother’s blood vessels.

Symptoms and Risk Factors

In its early stages, preeclampsia may be asymptomatic and detected only through routine blood pressure measurements and urine tests. When symptoms appear, they may include:

• Severe headache that does not respond to common pain relievers.
• Visual disturbances (e.g., blurred vision, flashes of light).
• Pain in the upper right abdomen (under the ribs), associated with liver involvement.
• Swelling (edema) of the face and hands that is sudden and pronounced.

Risk factors include first pregnancy, a history of preeclampsia, multiple pregnancy, high blood pressure before pregnancy, diabetes, and obesity.

Complications and Treatment

If untreated, preeclampsia can develop into the life-threatening condition Eclampsia, which involves generalized seizures (convulsions). For the mother, there is a risk of stroke and HELLP syndrome (severe liver and hematological complication), and for the fetus – growth restriction and preterm birth.

The only definitive treatment for preeclampsia is delivering the baby and placenta.

• Management: For mild preeclampsia, strict monitoring and medications to control blood pressure are applied.
• Emergency Therapy: For severe preeclampsia or eclampsia, magnesium sulfate is used to prevent or control seizures, and delivery is undertaken, which may be induced or performed via cesarean section, depending on the condition of the mother and fetus.

Synonyms: Late gestosis, Toxemia, Albumin in urine