Pre-eclampsia is defined as:
- Hypertension
- systolic >140mmHg or diastolic ≥ 90mmHg
- ‘severe’ preeclampsia if systolic ≥ 170mmHg or diastolic ≥ 110mmHg
- Proteinuria
- Occurring after 20 weeks gestation
Pre-eclampsia is a complication in 3-8% of pregnancies
Severe pre-eclampsia occurs in 0.5% of pregnancies
Possible features of severe pre-eclampsia include:
- Headaches
- Blurred vision
- Abdominal pain - epigastric
- Oedema
- Clonus
- Liver tenderness
- Platelets <100
- Abnormal LFTs
- HELLP syndrome
Risk factors for pre-eclampsia include:
- Antiphospholipid syndrome
- Renal disease
- SLE
- Nulliparity
- Chronic hypertension
- Diabetes
- Obesity
- Multiple gestations
- Advanced maternal age (> 40 years)
Management:
- Control blood pressure – labetalol, nifedipine or hydralazine
- Magnesium sulphate should be considered if eclampsia is considered a risk
- Definitive treatment is to deliver baby
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