Preeclampsia Research Paper

Preeclampsia (PE) is a multisystem disorder complicating 5-7% of all pregnancies that manifests abruptly with a variety of maternal clinical symptoms (e.g. hypertension) and remains a major cause of maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality worldwide. The traditional definition of preeclampsia according to the ACOG (American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists) criteria refers to the onset of high blood pressure (140/90 or higher) after 20 weeks of gestation in a previously normotensive woman 62, 63. The most severe cases are characterized by a variety of other clinical disturbances including proteinurea (≥0.3 gr/day), edema, neurologic involvement, epigastric pain, impaired liver function, thrombocytopenia 62 and are often associated

During pregnancy, the level of blood-clotting proteins increases, while anti-clotting protein levels decrease. Another possible contributory factor is the enlarged uterus, which puts the lower body veins under additional pressure to return the blood to the heart.

As woman age, they will find that pregnancy can be extra hard on the body, causing health issues such as high blood pressure, with some woman developing preeclampsia. Preeclampsia, a pregnancy-induced hypertension disorder which affects both mother and fetus poses the real possibility of impacting renal function along with the development of HELLP syndrome. When a woman develops this HELLP syndrome they are a risk of hemolysis; the breakdown of red blood cells, elevated liver enzymes, and low plate count putting her a greater risk of complications that cause death (Preeclampsia Foundation, pg1). The only known way to cure this disorder is to deliver the baby and placenta, even if the baby is premature because not only can this kill the mother, but it has repercussions for the fetus as well. When it comes to the fetus, preeclampsia causes an inadequate nutrition supply because of the insufficiency of the placenta to regulate how the fetus gets its nutrients, which can lead to growth retardation and further heath compilations later in life (Lapidus MD,

Jane Johnson shows many symptoms and tests positive for tests that indicate that she has Preeclampsia. We know this because Jane’s symptoms, which she mentions in her letter, include new onset hypertension and swelling which also happen to be common symptoms of preeclampsia. Preeclampsia can also cause women to rapidly fluctuate in weight and Jane states that, while also explaining how she is experiencing swelling in the ankles, that she has suddenly started gaining weight. Jane also claims that the source of her high blood pressure is anxiety, as she is inexperienced in motherhood, but coupled with her other worrying symptoms, and with the fact that preeclampsia is often found in women experiencing their first pregnancy provides many reasons to conduct urine and blood tests.

“It is believed that HELLP syndrome affects about 0.2 to 0.6 percent of all pregnancies” (American Pregnancy Assosiation, 2016, para 1). HELLP stands for hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, and low platelet count. Although the cause to HELLP syndrome is still unkown, there are several signs and symptoms the pregnant patient and her health care provider should be aware of in order to prevent serious and life threatening consequenses to the mother and baby.

HELLP Syndrome, an acronym that stands for Hemolysis, Elevated Liver Enzymes, and Low Platelets. HELLP Syndrome is a serious pregnancy complication that is life threatening. It is related to a health condition called preeclampsia, which is caused by pregnancy induced hypertension. According to the Preeclampsia Foundation (2010) worldwide, preeclampsia and other hypertensive disorders such as HELLP Syndrome, or eclampsia are a leading cause of maternal and infant death and illness. It is estimated that these

A variation of the protein called sFlt-1 can soon enter the mother’s bloodstream and it could cause damage to the mother’s blood vessels and eventually leads to high blood pressure of the mother. But the faulty gene cannot be the only cause preeclampsia, but it does increase the risk of the disorder by 20%. There are several other risk factors that have a much stronger chance of causing preeclampsia, including having high blood pressure before the pregnancy, a previous history of preeclampsia, or carrying twins. Anath Karumuchi, a vascular biologist who also researchers the cause of preeclampsia, but was not involved in this study, says the genetic results aren’t so strong to say the gene is always the cause of

Preeclampsia – is a result of generalized vasospasm. In normal pregnancy, vascular volume and cardiac output increase significantly but blood pressure will remain normal because pregnant women develop resistance to effects of vasoconstrictors such as angiotensin II. In preeclampsia, peripheral vascular resistance increases because women are sensitive to angiotensin II and they may also have a decrease in vasodilators. Vasospasms decreases the diameter of blood vessels, which result in endothelial cell damage and decrease EDRF (endothelium-derived relaxing factor). Vasoconstriction impeded blood flow and elevate blood pressure, and decreased circulation to kidneys, liver, brain and placenta. Decreased blood flow to kidneys reduces

On 9/27/14 a 26 y/o, 38 weeks and 5 days pregnant woman was admitted to Bellevue Women’s Center in Niskayuna, NY, showing signs of severe preeclampsia accompanied with vaginal bleeding. Preeclampsia is a pregnancy specific condition which presents with hypertension, increased urine-protein concentration, and systemic inflammation. Preeclampsia can eventually lead to placental hypoxia and ischemia which can result in hypoxic injury to the tissue of the fetus in utero (1). In addition, preeclampsia is the precursor to maternal eclampsia. Eclampsia is a condition in which maternal seizures occur which are not caused by any underlying condition other than pregnancy. The most effective treatment in prevention of eclampsia caused by preeclampsia

Preeclampsia, HELLP syndrome and eclampsia are part of a spectrum of hypertensive disorders specific to pregnancy, which are a leading cause of maternal and fetal morbidity worldwide (Lowdermilk, Perry, Cashion, & Alden, 2015). The root cause of preeclampsia is the placenta: in a healthy pregnancy, the muscular components of the uterine spiral arteries are replaced by cytotrophoblastic tissue from the fetus which then erodes the myometrium, causing the arteries to widen and lose their vasoconstrictive properties (Gilbert, 2010). This increases the diameters of the uterine spiral arteries to 4 to 6 times their nonpregnant size, allowing increased blood volume to flow to the placenta. In preeclampsia cytotrophoblastic tissue fails to widen the maternal spiral arteries, and the pressure in the maternal vascular system increases and defective placentation (defined as decreased tissue perfusion in the placenta) occurs. Ischemia in the placenta triggers the release of antiendothelial factors that are toxic to endothelial cells, leading to endothelial cell dysfunction. Because endothelial cells line all the blood vessels, this leads to multiorgan system involvement. Destruction of endothelial cells in the blood vessels causes decreased production of vasodilators such as prostacyclin and nitric oxide. Preeclampsia affects 2 to 7 percent of first time mothers, and is most common in mothers younger than 19 or older than 40 (Lowdermilk, Perry, Cashion, & Alden, 2015).

Pre-eclampsia is a condition that only pregnant women develop. It is when the placenta doesn’t work in the way it should. In the womb, an infant survives because of the placenta. It provides the infant with much needed nutrients and oxygenation. The condition makes the placenta only give nutrients to the brain and heart, and depletes the needed nutrients to the rest of the infant’s organs (First Candle). This results in the infant’s demise. The most common signs that a woman has developed it is high blood pressure and high levels of the electrolyte protein in her urine. In addition to those symptoms, the mother’s hands, feet and legs will exhibit signs of swelling. Pre-eclampsia develops into eclampsia when it is undiagnosed. There is no cure for pre-eclampsia and that is why it is so dangerous. Usually when a woman is diagnosed with the

“Placental abruption (abruptio placentae) is an uncommon yet serious complication of pregnancy. The placenta is a structure that develops in the uterus during pregnancy to nourish the growing baby. If the placenta peels away from the inner wall of the uterus before delivery — either partially or completely — it's known as placental abruption.” (Placental Abruption). This will then lead to a lack of oxygen and nutrients that the infant cannot receive. If the abruption bust too sudden without any awareness, both the mother and child life could possibly be in severe jeopardy. Placental Abruption primary leads to Cerebral Palsy when oxygen is lacking in the womb. “Cerebral Palsy is caused by brain damage that affects the parts of the brain involved in controlling movement and coordination. A child who suffers from Cerebral Palsy will have trouble with motor skills and balance, and also often will have some form of developmental delay.” (Bishop). “CP is strongly associated with muscle and tendon stiffness, either on one side of the body or both. This is true for all three major types of CP: spastic hemiplegia (SH), spastic diplegia (SD) and spastic quadriplegia (SQ). The tightness can interfere with the smoothness of all movements, especially walking.” (Vishton). Seizures are also very common from Cerebral Palsy due to Spastic Quadriplegia. Spastic Quadriplegia affects all four of your limbs. As

When a woman is pregnant, any risk to herself or her baby is a significant problem. How many women suffer from Preeclampsia? Out of five to ten women. A woman who had a normal blood pressure before pregnancy can develop high blood pressure and excess proteins in her urine after the first twenty weeks of pregnancy. When this occurs a woman is told she has a disease named preeclampsia, which puts her baby and herself at risk. Preeclampsia grows unexpectedly after twenty weeks, with a high increase in blood pressure, excess proteins in her urine, extreme headaches, nausea, dizziness, sudden weight gain as sudden symptoms as sudden signs of sickness.

Preeclampsia casuses new onset hypertension and proteinuria which is a marker of kidney damage and can also cause damage to other organs like the brain and the liver.

The sign and symptoms of PPH include; the apparent excessive bleeding, hematocrit-reduction of the number of red blood cells, reduced blood pressure, development of symptoms of shock and anaemia, and severe pain and swelling of tissues and muscles of the vagina, vulva, pelvic and perineum (Simpson & Creehan, 2008). Besides, Ricci & Kyle (2009) avow that there are different factors that place a mother at risk for PPH, and they comprise; prolonged first, second or third stage of labour, previous history of PPH, foetal macrosomia, uterine infection, arrest of descent and multiple gestation. Other risk factors may include; mediolateral episiotomy, coagulation abnormalities, maternal hypertension, maternal exhaustion, malnutrition or anaemia, preeclampsia, precipitous birth, polyhydramnios and previous placenta previa (Ricci & Kyle, 2009).