Preeclampsia & eclampsia
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Preeclampsia & eclampsia
Pathology
Female reproductive system disorders
Amenorrhea
Breast cancer
Fibrocystic breast changes
Intraductal papilloma
Mastitis
Paget disease of the breast
Phyllodes tumor
Intrauterine growth restriction
Oligohydramnios
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Potter sequence
Postpartum hemorrhage
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Pelvic inflammatory disease
Urethritis
Ectopic pregnancy
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Miscarriage
Germ cell ovarian tumor
Krukenberg tumor
Ovarian cyst
Ovarian torsion
Polycystic ovary syndrome
Premature ovarian failure
Sex cord-gonadal stromal tumor
Surface epithelial-stromal tumor
Chorioamnionitis
Congenital cytomegalovirus (NORD)
Congenital rubella syndrome
Congenital syphilis
Congenital toxoplasmosis
Neonatal conjunctivitis
Neonatal herpes simplex
Neonatal meningitis
Neonatal sepsis
Cervical incompetence
Gestational diabetes
Gestational hypertension
Hyperemesis gravidarum
Placenta accreta
Placenta previa
Placental abruption
Preeclampsia & eclampsia
Female sexual interest and arousal disorder
Genito-pelvic pain and penetration disorder
Orgasmic dysfunction
Fetal alcohol syndrome
Fetal hydantoin syndrome
Cervical cancer
Choriocarcinoma
Endometrial cancer
Endometrial hyperplasia
Endometriosis
Endometritis
Uterine fibroid
Male and female reproductive system disorders
Delayed puberty
Precocious puberty
5-alpha-reductase deficiency
Androgen insensitivity syndrome
Kallmann syndrome
Klinefelter syndrome
Turner syndrome
Male reproductive system disorders
Bladder exstrophy
Hypospadias and epispadias
Penile cancer
Priapism
Benign prostatic hyperplasia
Prostate cancer
Prostatitis
Erectile dysfunction
Male hypoactive sexual desire disorder
Cryptorchidism
Epididymitis
Inguinal hernia
Orchitis
Testicular cancer
Testicular torsion
Varicocele
Reproductive system pathology review
Benign breast conditions: Pathology review
Breast cancer: Pathology review
Cervical cancer: Pathology review
Complications during pregnancy: Pathology review
Congenital TORCH infections: Pathology review
Disorders of sex chromosomes: Pathology review
Disorders of sexual development and sex hormones: Pathology review
HIV and AIDS: Pathology review
Ovarian cysts and tumors: Pathology review
Penile conditions: Pathology review
Prostate disorders and cancer: Pathology review
Sexually transmitted infections: Vaginitis and cervicitis: Pathology review
Sexually transmitted infections: Warts and ulcers: Pathology review
Testicular and scrotal conditions: Pathology review
Testicular tumors: Pathology review
Uterine disorders: Pathology review
Vaginal and vulvar disorders: Pathology review
Assessments
Preeclampsia & eclampsia
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Preeclampsia & eclampsia
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External References
First Aid
2022
2021
2020
2019
2018
2017
2016
Abruptio placentae p. 664
preeclampsia p. 667
Autoimmune diseases
preeclampsia and p. 667
Coagulopathy
preeclampsia p. 667
Diabetes mellitus p. 352-360
preeclampsia and p. 667
Hypertension p. 306
preeclampsia p. 667
Magnesium sulfate
preeclampsia/eclampsia p. 667
Placental insufficiency
preeclampsia p. 667
Preeclampsia p. 667
hydatidiform moles p. 663
placental abruption p. 664
Proteinuria p. 619
preeclampsia p. 667
Pulmonary edema
preeclampsia and p. 667
Renal failure
preeclampsia and p. 667
Transcript
Preeclampsia is a disorder that only happens in pregnant women, and it happens after 20 weeks’ gestation, and in some cases develops up to 6 weeks after delivery.
Preeclampsia causes new-onset hypertension and proteinuria, which is a marker of kidney damage, and can also cause damage to other organs like the brain and liver.
There can be a wide range of symptoms. For some women there may be no symptoms or only mild ones, whereas for others, it can turn into a life-threatening illness.
If a woman with preeclampsia develops seizures, she is then said to have eclampsia.
Preeclampsia tends to occur more often during a first pregnancy, in pregnancies with multiple gestations, or in mothers 35 years or older.
Other risk factors include having hypertension, diabetes, obesity, or a family history of preeclampsia.
Alright, but why do these changes happen in preeclampsia and eclampsia?
Well, the exact cause is unclear, but a key pathophysiologic feature though is the development of an abnormal placenta.
Normally, during pregnancy, the spiral arteries dilate to 5-10 times their normal size and develop into large uteroplacental arteries that can deliver large quantities of blood to the developing fetus.
In preeclampsia, these uteroplacental arteries become fibrous causing them to narrow, which means less blood gets to the placenta.
A poorly perfused placenta can lead to intrauterine growth restriction and even fetal death in severe cases.
This hypoperfused placenta starts releasing pro-inflammatory proteins.
These then get into the mother’s circulation and cause the endothelial cells that line her blood vessels to become dysfunctional.
Endothelial cell dysfunction causes vasoconstriction—narrowing of the blood vessels—and also affects the kidneys in a way that makes them retain more salt, both of which result in hypertension.
When diagnosing preeclampsia, hypertension is defined as a systolic blood pressure of 140 mmHg or greater or diastolic blood pressure of 90 mmHg or greater.
Summary
Preeclampsia and eclampsia are two separate, but related, conditions that occur during pregnancy. Preeclampsia is characterized by hypertension and proteinuria presenting after 20 weeks of gestation and can worsen over time. In severe disease, there may be hemolysis, a low blood platelet count, impaired liver function, kidney dysfunction, shortness of breath due to fluid in the lungs, and visual disturbances.
If left untreated, preeclampsia can lead to eclampsia, a more serious condition in which the woman experiences convulsions or seizures. Treatment for preeclampsia and eclampsia typically involves a combination of bed rest and medications such as antihypertensives and magnesium sulfate, which helps to prevent seizures. In some cases, the delivery of the baby may be required.
Sources
- "Robbins Basic Pathology" Elsevier (2017)
- "Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine, Twentieth Edition (Vol.1 & Vol.2)" McGraw-Hill Education / Medical (2018)
- "Pathophysiology of Disease: An Introduction to Clinical Medicine 8E" McGraw-Hill Education / Medical (2018)
- "CURRENT Medical Diagnosis and Treatment 2020" McGraw-Hill Education / Medical (2019)
- "Hypertension in Pregnancy" Obstetrics & Gynecology (2013)
- "Chronic hypertension and pregnancy outcomes: systematic review and meta-analysis" BMJ (2014)
- "A Comprehensive Review of Hypertension in Pregnancy" Journal of Pregnancy (2012)
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