by Patricia Viratham

Created on: May 29, 2008

Preeclampsia

Preeclampsia is a medical condition where hypertension arises in pregnancy in association with significant amounts of protein in the urine. Preeclampsia refers to a set of symptoms preferably than any causative factor. Many people believe that there are many different causes for the syndrome. There is a substance or substances in the placenta that may cause endothelial dysfunction in the maternal blood vessels of susceptible women. Endothelial dysfunction is a physiological dysfunction of normal biochemical processes carried out by the endothelium, the cells that line the inner surface of all blood vessels including the arteries and veins. Endothelium is the thin layer of cells that line the interior surface of blood vessels forming an interface between circulating blood in the women and the rest of the vessel wall. High blood pressure level is the most visible sign of the syndrome; it involves generalized damage to the maternal endothelium, kidneys, and liver with the release of vasopressive. When preeclampsia develops is hard to tell. It varies because it may develop as early 20 weeks-32 weeks. It differs among patients. Abortion, caesarean section, or induction of labor is the only way to cure the syndrome as research shows. Another time preeclampsia may occur is 6 weeks postpartum. It is one of the most dangerous complications in pregnancy because it could affect the mother and the fetus.

Preeclampsia is diagnosed when a pregnant woman develops high blood pressure and 300 mg of protein in a 24 hour urine sample. Edema (especially in the hands and face) is considered an important sign for a diagnosis of preeclampsia but isn't always. Edema is the swelling. Unusual swelling, mostly in the hands and face should always be reported to your health care provider. Diagnosis of preeclampsia depends on a coincidence of symptoms of several pre-eclamptic features.

Preeclampsia occurs in as many as 10% of pregnancies almost always in the second or third trimesters. Although some women may experience preeclampsia as early as 20 weeks, it's not very often. It's more common for women who are pregnant for the first time to develop preeclampsia, and the frequency usually drops in second pregnancies. The most momentous risk for developing preeclampsia is having preeclampsia in a previous pregnancy.

Some researchers believe that preeclampsia is caused by shallowly implanted placenta which becomes hypoxic, leading to an immune reaction characterized by secretion of

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