Preeclampsia

Pre-eclampsia
Synonyms	pre-eclampsia toxaemia (PET), pre-eclampsia
A micrograph showing hypertrophic decidual vasculopathy, a finding seen in gestational hypertension and pre-eclampsia. H&E stain.
Classification and external resources
Specialty	Obstetrics
ICD-10	O10–O14
ICD-9-CM	642.4–642.7
OMIM	189800
DiseasesDB	10494
MedlinePlus	000898
eMedicine	med/1905 ped/1885
MeSH	D011225
Orphanet	275555
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Pre-eclampsia laboratory values
Medical diagnostics
Shorthand for laboratory values commonly used in pre-eclampsia. LDH=Lactate dehydrogenase, Uric acid=Uric acid, AST=Aspartate aminotransferase, ALT=Alanine aminotransferase, Plt=Platelets, Cr=Creatinine.
MeSH	D007770
Reference range	LDH: 105–333 IU/L Uric Acid: 2.4–6.0 mg/dL AST: 5–40 U/L ALT: 7–56 U/L Plt: 140–450 x 109/L Cr: 0.6–1.2 mg/dL
LOINC	Codes for pre-eclampsia
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Pre-eclampsia (PE) is a disorder of pregnancy characterized by high blood pressure and often a large amount of protein in the urine. The disorder usually occurs in the third trimester of pregnancy and worsens over time. In severe disease there may be red blood cell breakdown, a low blood platelet count, impaired liver function, kidney dysfunction, swelling, shortness of breath due to fluid in the lungs, or visual disturbances. Pre-eclampsia increases the risk of poor outcomes for both the mother and the baby. If left untreated, it may result in seizures at which point it is known as eclampsia.

Risk factors for pre-eclampsia include obesity, prior hypertension, older age, and diabetes mellitus. It is also more frequent in a woman's first pregnancy and if she is carrying twins. The underlying mechanism involves abnormal formation of blood vessels in the placenta amongst other factors. Most cases are diagnosed before delivery. Rarely, pre-eclampsia may begin in the period after delivery. While historically both high blood pressure and protein in the urine were required to make the diagnosis, some definitions also include those with hypertension and any associated organ dysfunction. Blood pressure is defined as high when it is greater than 140 mmHg systolic or 90 mmHg diastolic at two separate times, more than four hours apart in a woman after twenty weeks of pregnancy. Pre-eclampsia is routinely screened for during prenatal care.

Recommendations for prevention include: aspirin in those at high risk, calcium supplementation in areas with low intake, and treatment of prior hypertension with medications. In those with pre-eclampsia delivery of the fetus and placenta is an effective treatment. When delivery becomes recommended depends on how severe the pre-eclampsia and how far along in pregnancy a person is.Blood pressure medication, such as labetalol and methyldopa, may be used to improve the mother's condition before delivery.Magnesium sulfate may be used to prevent eclampsia in those with severe disease. Bedrest and salt intake have not been found to be useful for either treatment or prevention.