Preeclampsia

2024 Author: Rachel Wainwright | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-15 07:39

Brief description of the disease

Preeclampsia is a pathological condition during pregnancy that is manifested by the appearance of edema, high blood pressure and proteinuria (protein in the urine). Usually this disease develops in the second and third trimester, but sometimes it happens even earlier. According to statistics, the incidence of the disease has recently increased from 7 to 20%.

Preeclampsia is a disease that indicates serious disorders in the mother's body, so the pregnant woman needs mandatory examination and the necessary therapy. The symptoms of the disease disrupt the normal functioning of the placenta, as a result of which the fetus does not receive enough nutrients and oxygen, which entails the development of hypoxia and malnutrition.

Preeclampsia symptoms

The main symptoms include increased blood pressure, protein in the urine, edema, weight gain due to fluid retention, headaches, abdominal pain, decreased urine output, dizziness, blurred vision, vomiting and nausea, and reflex changes.

The symptoms of preeclampsia depend on its degree. The most severe form of the disease, which is called eclampsia, in addition to the symptoms listed above, is characterized by the presence of seizures. Eclampsia requires immediate intervention by medical professionals and the provision of timely assistance, as it can lead to health and life-threatening complications.

Preeclampsia degrees

There are three degrees of preeclampsia.

1. Mild degree (mild preeclampsia) - characterized by an increase in pressure not exceeding 150/90 mm Hg. Art., proteinuria up to 1 g / l. Swelling of the lower extremities is observed. The number of platelets in the blood test is not less than 180x109 / l, creatinine - up to 100 μmol.

Mild preeclampsia may be asymptomatic, preventing the expectant mother from suspecting the onset of the development of the disease. Therefore, you should not underestimate the importance of examination and testing throughout pregnancy. This will help the doctor to recognize the signs of preeclampsia at the initial stage and take the right measures in time to eliminate them.

2. The average degree of preeclampsia - there is an increase in blood pressure to 170/110 mm Hg. Art., protein in the urine is more than 5 g / l, the number of platelets ranges from 150 to 180x109 / l, creatinine from 100 to 300 μmol / l.

3. Severe preeclampsia - characterized by an increase in blood pressure above 170/110 mm Hg. Art., urine protein exceeds 5g / l, creatinine for 300 μmol / l. There is a headache in the back of the head and forehead, visual impairment, which is manifested by the flickering of flies, pain in the right side due to liver edema. Severe preeclampsia can turn into eclampsia - one of the most dangerous forms of gestosis, which is characterized by the presence of seizures. Severe preeclampsia and eclampsia are diseases that can pose a threat to the health and life of the mother and child.

Causes of preeclampsia

The exact cause of preeclampsia and eclampsia is not fully understood. There are some assumptions that include: poor maternal nutrition, high levels of fat in the body, and poor blood flow in the uterus. There are certain risk factors for developing this disease.

Risk factors for developing preeclampsia

Most often, this disease develops during the first pregnancy in young women, as well as in pregnant women who are over forty years old. A risk factor can be arterial hypertension, which was observed in a woman even before pregnancy, preeclampsia during previous pregnancies, overweight, preeclampsia in the mother or sister. The risk group includes women who have multiple pregnancies, kidney disease, rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes mellitus.

Preeclampsia treatment

The tactics of treating preeclampsia depends on the severity of the disease and the maturity of the fetus.

Mild preeclampsia involves adherence to bed rest at home or in the hospital. In particular, doctors recommend spending time lying on your back. This, to some extent, helps to lower blood pressure. Constant monitoring of the condition of the mother and child is carried out with the obligatory measurement of blood pressure, weighing, ultrasound and cardiotocography of the fetus, and counting movements. With an increase in the dynamics of the disease, drug treatment is used.

For the treatment of preeclampsia, magnesium sulfate is used, which prevents the development of eclampsia, as well as antihypertensive therapy, which is aimed at lowering blood pressure. In the absence of positive dynamics from the treatment used and an increase in symptoms, artificial stimulation of labor activity or a cesarean section is performed.

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The information is generalized and provided for informational purposes only. At the first sign of illness, see your doctor. Self-medication is hazardous to health!