women s health issues
Preeclampsia and Eclampsia
Introduction
Preeclampsiais new high blood pressure or worsening of existing high blood pressure that is accompanied by excess protein in the urine and that develops after the 20th week of pregnancy.Eclampsiais seizures that occur in women with preeclampsia and that have no other cause. Preeclampsia can cause the placenta to detach and/or the baby to be born too early, increasing the risk that the baby will have problems soon after birth. The woman’s hands, fingers, neck, and/or feet may swell, and if preeclampsia is severe and not treated, she may have seizures (eclampsia) or organ damage. Depending on how severe preeclampsia is, treatment may involve modified activity (bed rest), hospitalization, drugs to lower blood pressure, or delivery of the baby. Magnesium sulfate is given by vein to prevent or stop seizures. Pregnancy complications, such as preeclampsia and eclampsia, are problems that occur only during pregnancy. They may affect the woman, the fetus, or both and may occur at different times during the pregnancy. However, most pregnancy complications can be effectively treated. About 3 to 7% of pregnant women develop preeclampsia. In preeclampsia, an increase in blood pressure is accompanied by protein in the urine (proteinuria). Preeclampsia can suddenly cause Seizure Disorders (eclampsia). Eclampsia occurs in fewer than 1% of women with severe preeclampsia. If not treated promptly, eclampsia is usually fatal. Preeclampsia (with or without eclampsia) develops after the 20th week of pregnancy and usually before the end of the first week after delivery. One fourth of the cases occur after delivery, usually within the first 4 days but sometimes up to 6 weeks after delivery. Preeclampsia and eclampsia can develop after delivery. 