In plain words
Preeclampsia is a condition that can happen in the second half of pregnancy or soon after birth. It is marked by high blood pressure that starts after 20 weeks, often with protein in the urine. It can also affect the liver, kidneys, blood platelets, or the brain. Some mothers have swelling, though swelling alone does not mean preeclampsia. Some have a severe headache, vision changes, pain under the ribs, or nausea. Preeclampsia can get worse quickly, and it is one of the main causes of serious illness in pregnancy. Monitoring includes blood pressure checks and blood and urine tests. Delivery ends the condition, so the goal of care is to keep both mother and baby safe while it is watched. Severe symptoms need emergency care now: call 911.
The deeper version
Preeclampsia is a hypertensive disorder of pregnancy defined by new hypertension of 140/90 mmHg or higher after 20 weeks, with or new end-organ dysfunction, following the ACOG Practice Bulletin 222 (2020) criteria. Its pathophysiology involves abnormal placentation, , and an antiangiogenic imbalance with elevated and soluble endoglin. Prevalence is around 2 to 8 percent of pregnancies depending on definition and population. The sFlt-1 to PlGF ratio is used in some settings to aid diagnosis and risk assessment. Low-dose aspirin is an option to lower the risk that ACOG and the US Preventive Services Task Force name for people at high risk, with start timing set by each guideline. The main controversy is how to distinguish preeclampsia from chronic hypertension with superimposed features, and how much screening biomarkers should change management.
Where it comes up
- High blood pressure and preeclampsiaPregnancy: Your Body
- Swelling: feet, ankles, hands, facePregnancy: Your Body
- Headaches and migrainesPregnancy: Your Body
- Postpartum preeclampsia: the warning signsPostpartum: Your Body
- Pregnancy at 35 and olderPregnancy: Your Body
What mothers here say about preeclampsia
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Sources
- American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists — Practice Bulletin 222: Gestational Hypertension and Preeclampsia (2020)
- Brown MA et al. — The hypertensive disorders of pregnancy: ISSHP classification, diagnosis and management recommendations for international practice. Pregnancy Hypertension (2018)