Preeclampsia

Alternative names:

pregnancy-induced hypertension; toxemia

Treatment:

The treatment for preeclampsia is bed rest and, as soon as the fetus has a good chance of surviving outside the womb, delivery. Patients are usually hospitalized, but occasionally they may be managed on an outpatient basis with careful monitoring of blood pressure and weight, and urine checks for protein.

Optimally, attempts are made to manage the condition until a delivery after 36 weeks of pregnancy can be achieved.

Delivery may be induced if any of the following are present:

• Diastolic blood pressure becomes greater than 100 mmHg consistently for a 24-hour period, or there is any confirmed reading over 110 mmHg.
• Persistent or severe headache.
• Abdominal pain.
• Abnormal liver function tests.
• Rising serum creatinine.
• HELLP syndrome.
• Pulmonary edema (fluid in lungs).
• Eclampsia.
• Thrombocytopenia.
• Nonreassuring fetal monitoring tracings.
• Failure of fetal growth noted by ultrasound.
• Abnormal biophysical profile.

In severe cases of preeclampsia, if the pregnancy is beyond the 28th week, delivery is the treatment of choice. For pregnancies less than 24 weeks along, the induction of labor is recommended, although the likelihood of a viable fetus is minimal. Prolonging such pregnancies has shown to result in maternal complications as well as infant death in approximately 87% of cases. Pregnancies between 24 and 28 weeks gestation present a "gray zone," and conservative management may be attempted, with monitoring for the presentation of maternal and fetal complications.

During induction of labor and delivery, medications are given to prevent seizures and to keep blood pressure under good control. The decision for vaginal delivery versus Cesarean section is based on fetal tolerance of labor.

Expectations (prognosis):

Maternal deaths caused by preeclampsia are rare in the U.S. Fetal or perinatal deaths are high and generally decrease as the fetus matures. The risk of recurrent preeclampsia in subsequent pregnancies is approximately 33%. Preeclampsia does not appear to lead to chronic high blood pressure.

Complications:

Preeclampsia may develop into eclampsia, the occurrence of seizures. Fetal complications may occur because of prematurity at time of delivery.

Calling your health care provider:

Call your health care provider if symptoms occur during pregnancy.