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.

Most women with mild preeclampsia do not have any symptoms.

• The hallmark signs, as mentioned previously, are the presence of protein in the urine and elevated blood pressure.
• Swelling of the feet, legs, and hands is also common, but this can occur in normal pregnancy and is not necessarily related to preeclampsia.
• Women with preeclampsia may experience sudden weight gain over 1 to 2 days.

Other symptoms and signs that can occur with severe preeclampsia include 

• dizziness,
• headaches,
• nausea,
• vomiting,
• abdominal pain,
• vision changes,
• changes in reflexes,
• altered mental state,
• fluid in the lungs (pulmonary edema), and
• a decrease in urine output.

Symptoms of eclampsia include those of preeclampsia along with the development of seizures. When Seizures occur, they are most often preceded by neurological symptoms like headache and vision disturbances. Women with severe preeclampsia may have a reduced platelet count (below 100,000).

Signs and symptoms of preeclampsia go away within 1 to 6 weeks after delivery of the baby.

The exact cause of preeclampsia and eclampsia is not fully understood, but it is believed to be a disorder of the lining of blood vessels. Abnormalities of the placenta have also been described. It likely arises due to a combination of factors, including both genetic and environmental influences. A number of genes have been studied as being potentially involved in preeclampsia, and there is an increased risk for women with affected family members. Nutritional factors, obesity, and the immune system may also play a role in its development although this is not yet fully understood. Some studies of the immune response in preeclampsia have shown problems in the way certain cells of the immune system interact with each other to regulate the immune response.

There is no cure for preeclampsia and eclampsia other than delivery of the baby. The decision about whether to induce labor or perform a Cesarean section depends upon the severity of the condition and the gestational age and health of the fetus.

Women with mild preeclampsia are often induced at 37 weeks' gestation. Prior to this time, they can be managed at home or in the hospital with close monitoring. During this time steroid drugs will be given to promote maturation of the baby's lungs. Women with mild preeclampsia prior to 37 weeks' gestation are often prescribed bed rest with frequent medical monitoring.

In severe preeclampsia, delivery (induction of labor or Cesarean delivery or C-section) is usually considered after 34 weeks of gestation. The risks to the mother and baby from the disease must be balanced against the risk of prematurity in this case. Intravenous magnesium sulfate can be given to women with severe preeclampsia to prevent seizures. This medication is safe for the baby. Oral supplements containing magnesium are not effective in preventing seizures and are not recommended. Medications such as hydralazine to lower blood pressure may also be given.

Eclampsia is a medical emergency. It is treated with medications to control seizures and maintain a stable blood pressure with the goal of minimizing complications for both mother and baby. Magnesium sulfate is used as a first-line treatment when eclamptic seizures do occur. If the seizures are not controlled by magnesium sulfate, other medications such as lorazepam (Ativan) and phenytoin (Dilantin, Dilantin-125) may be administered.

Different factors can increase a woman's risk for developing preeclampsia and eclampsia. These include:

• Age: Teens or women over 40 are at greatest risk
• History of preeclampsia/eclampsia in a previous pregnancy
• Obesity
• Having had high blood pressure prior to pregnancy
• Pregnancy achieved through egg donation or donor insemination
• Having a mother or sister who had preeclampsia
• Having certain diseases, like diabetes, lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, or some kidney diseases
• Multiple gestation
• Sickle cell disease