Pregnancy Complications: Preeclampsia and Eclampsia

Definition and Pathophysiology

• Preeclampsia: a pregnancy complication characterized by high blood pressure and damage to organs such as the liver, kidneys, and brain
• Eclampsia: a severe complication of preeclampsia, characterized by seizures or coma

Risk Factors

• Nulliparity
• Age >35 years
• Multiple gestations
• History of hypertension, diabetes, or kidney disease
• Family history of preeclampsia
• Obesity
• Pre-existing medical conditions (e.g. lupus, thrombophilia)

Signs and Symptoms

• High blood pressure (>140/90 mmHg)
• Proteinuria (excess protein in urine)
• Vision changes (e.g. blurred vision, double vision)
• Abdominal pain (especially in the upper right quadrant)
• Nausea and vomiting
• Headache
• Fatigue
• Seizures or coma (in eclampsia)

Diagnosis

• Blood pressure measurement
• Urinalysis for proteinuria
• Blood tests for liver and kidney function
• Platelet count and clotting studies
• Fetal monitoring (e.g. non-stress test, biophysical profile)

Management and Treatment

• Bed rest
• Medications to control blood pressure and seizures
• Corticosteroids to promote fetal lung maturity
• Antenatal corticosteroids to reduce neonatal respiratory distress
• Induction of labor or cesarean section (depending on gestational age and fetal well-being)
• Delivery as soon as possible if eclampsia occurs

Complications

• Maternal: stroke, kidney failure, pulmonary edema, cardiac arrest
• Fetal: growth restriction, prematurity, stillbirth
• Neonatal: respiratory distress, intraventricular hemorrhage, hypoglycemia

Definition and Pathophysiology

• Preeclampsia is a pregnancy complication characterized by high blood pressure and damage to organs such as the liver, kidneys, and brain.
• Eclampsia is a severe complication of preeclampsia, characterized by seizures or coma.

Risk Factors

• Women who are nulliparous (never given birth before) are at risk.
• Women over 35 years old are at risk.
• Multiple gestations increase the risk.
• A history of hypertension, diabetes, or kidney disease increases the risk.
• A family history of preeclampsia is a risk factor.
• Obesity increases the risk.
• Pre-existing medical conditions, such as lupus or thrombophilia, increase the risk.

Signs and Symptoms

• Blood pressure greater than 140/90 mmHg is a sign of preeclampsia.
• Proteinuria (excess protein in urine) is a sign of preeclampsia.
• Vision changes, such as blurred vision or double vision, are symptoms.
• Abdominal pain, especially in the upper right quadrant, is a symptom.
• Nausea and vomiting are symptoms.
• Headache is a symptom.
• Fatigue is a symptom.
• Seizures or coma are symptoms of eclampsia.

Diagnosis

• Blood pressure measurement is used to diagnose preeclampsia.
• Urinalysis is used to detect proteinuria.
• Blood tests are used to assess liver and kidney function.
• Platelet count and clotting studies are used to assess blood clotting.
• Fetal monitoring, such as non-stress tests and biophysical profiles, are used to assess fetal well-being.

Management and Treatment

• Bed rest is used to manage preeclampsia.
• Medications are used to control blood pressure and seizures.
• Corticosteroids are used to promote fetal lung maturity.
• Antenatal corticosteroids are used to reduce neonatal respiratory distress.
• Induction of labor or cesarean section may be necessary, depending on gestational age and fetal well-being.
• Delivery is necessary as soon as possible if eclampsia occurs.

Complications

• Maternal complications include stroke, kidney failure, pulmonary edema, and cardiac arrest.
• Fetal complications include growth restriction, prematurity, and stillbirth.
• Neonatal complications include respiratory distress, intraventricular hemorrhage, and hypoglycemia.

This quiz covers the definition, pathophysiology, and risk factors of preeclampsia and eclampsia, two pregnancy complications that can cause high blood pressure and damage to organs.