Pregnancy: Preeclampsia and Eclampsia
Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD
Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, is a U.S. board-certified Anatomic Pathologist with subspecialty training in the fields of Experimental and Molecular Pathology. Dr. Stöppler's educational background includes a BA with Highest Distinction from the University of Virginia and an MD from the University of North Carolina. She completed residency training in Anatomic Pathology at Georgetown University followed by subspecialty fellowship training in molecular diagnostics and experimental pathology.
Charles Patrick Davis, MD, PhD
Dr. Charles "Pat" Davis, MD, PhD, is a board certified Emergency Medicine doctor who currently practices as a consultant and staff member for hospitals. He has a PhD in Microbiology (UT at Austin), and the MD (Univ. Texas Medical Branch, Galveston). He is a Clinical Professor (retired) in the Division of Emergency Medicine, UT Health Science Center at San Antonio, and has been the Chief of Emergency Medicine at UT Medical Branch and at UTHSCSA with over 250 publications.
- Preeclampsia and eclampsia facts
- What are preeclampsia and eclampsia?
- What causes preeclampsia and eclampsia?
- Who is at risk for preeclampsia and eclampsia?
- What are the symptoms of preeclampsia and eclampsia?
- How are preeclampsia and eclampsia diagnosed?
- What is the treatment for preeclampsia and eclampsia?
- What are complications of preeclampsia and eclampsia?
- Can preeclampsia and eclampsia be prevented?
- What is the outlook (prognosis) for preeclampsia and eclampsia?
- Patient Comments: Preeclampsia and Eclampsia - Symptoms
- Patient Comments: Preeclampsia and Eclampsia - Cause
- Find a local Obstetrician-Gynecologist in your town
Preeclampsia and eclampsia facts
- Preeclampsia is a condition of during pregnancy characterized by high blood pressure (hypertension) and protein in the urine (proteinuria).
- Preeclampsia usually occurs after the 34th week of gestation, but it can develop after birth.
- Preeclampsia and eclampsia are most common in first-time pregnancies. Pregnant teens and women over 40 are also at increased risk.
- Eclampsia is the development of seizures in a woman with severe preeclampsia. It has a 2% mortality (death) rate.
- There is no cure for preeclampsia other than delivery of the baby.
- Women with mild preeclampsia may be monitored closely to allow the baby to mature. They may be given corticosteroids to help the baby's lungs mature and magnesium sulfate to prevent seizures. Sometimes, medications to lower blood pressure are needed.
- Fetal complications of preeclampsia include risk of preterm delivery, oligohydramnios, and slow growth.
- Maternal complications of preeclampsia and eclampsia include liver and kidney failure, bleeding and clotting disorders, and HELLP syndrome.
- There is no known way to prevent preeclampsia.
- The exact cause of preeclampsia is not known, although both genetic (inherited) and environmental factors are likely to be involved.
What are preeclampsia and eclampsia?
Preeclampsia is a condition that can develop during pregnancy characterized by high blood pressure (hypertension) and protein in the urine (proteinuria). If not properly recognized and managed, preeclampsia can progress to eclampsia, which involves the development of seizures in a woman with preeclampsia. Eclampsia can be serious for both mother and baby and can even be fatal. Preeclampsia was formerly known as toxemia of pregnancy. Without treatment, it has been estimated that 1 out of 200 cases of preeclampsia progress to seizures (eclampsia). Estimates of the incidence of preeclampsia range from 2% to 6% in healthy women who have never before given birth.
Preeclampsia occurs after the 20th week of pregnancy and can even occur in the days following birth. Some reports describe preeclampsia as occurring up to 4 to 6 weeks after birth, although most cases of postpartum preeclampsia occur within 48 hours of births. Ninety percent of cases occur after the 34th week of gestation, and 5% occur after birth.
Preeclampsia and eclampsia are most common in first-time pregnancies. Pregnant teens and women over 40 are also at increased risk.
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