Preeclampsia and Eclampsia

What is preeclampsia?

Preeclampsia is a syndrome marked by a sudden increase in the blood pressure of a pregnant woman after the 20th week of pregnancy. It can affect the mother’s kidneys, liver, and brain. If left untreated, the condition can be fatal for the mother and/or the baby or can lead to long term health problems.

Preeclampsia is often associated with the swelling of the face and hands. A woman’s feet may swell also, but swollen feet are common during healthy pregnancies. Swollen feet do not always indicate there is a problem. This dangerous condition occurs in 3 to 4 percent of all pregnancies and is the leading cause of maternal and fetal death in the United States. Currently there is no definite way to predict which pregnant women will develop preeclampsia.

Eclampsia

Eclampsia is a more severe form of preeclampsia that can cause seizures and coma in the pregnant woman. Estimates place the number of women affected by eclampsia at one in 200 who have preeclampsia. Eclampsia can be fatal if not treated quickly.

Symptoms of Preeclampsia

Possible signs of preeclampsia include:

High blood pressure
High protein in the urine
Swelling in the woman’s face and hands
Systemic problems such as headaches, blurred vision, and abdominal pain

Treatment for Preeclampsia

The only cure of preeclampsia is the delivery of the fetus. If preeclampsia develops, the physician may present a plan to try to prolong the pregnancy in order to give the fetus more time to grow and mature. At the same time, the health care provider will closely watch the health of the mother for signs that the fetus needs to be delivered right away, even prematurely if necessary. If the preeclampsia is severe enough, and the fetus is not delivered, the mother could be at risk of dying. Physicians will take steps to prevent the condition from being fatal for the mother and the baby.