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Pre-eclampsia Wikipedia

DiseaseDisorder infobox |
Name = Pre-eclampsia |
ICD10 = O11, O13, O14 |
ICD9 = 642.4-642.7 |

Pre-eclampsia (previously called toxemia) is a pregnancy-induced hypertension|hypertensive disorder of pregnancy. Pre-eclampsia is diagnosed when a pregnancy|pregnant woman develops high blood pressure (two separate readings taken at least 6 hours apart of 140/90 or more) and 300 mg of protein in a 24 hour urine sample (proteinuria). Swelling or edema(especially in the hands and face)was originally considered an important sign for a diagnoses of pre-eclampsia, but in current medical practice only hypertension and proteinuria are necessary for a diagnoses. Some women develop high blood pressure without the proteinuria, this is called Gestational Hypertension or, Pregnancy Induced Hypertension (PIH). Both Preeclampsia and PIH are very serious conditions and require careful monitoring of mother and baby.

Pre-eclampsia is much more common in the first pregnancy (3-5% of births) and usually becomes evident in the third trimester (and virtually always after the 20th week of pregnancy). It is also more common in women who have preexisting hypertension, diabetes,chronic renal failure|renal disease, and family history of pre-eclampsia. It is also more common in women with a multiple gestation (twins, triplets and more).

Pre-eclampsia may also occur in the immediate post-partum period or up to 6-8 weeks post-partum. This is referred to as "post partum pre-eclampsia".