Pre-Eclampsia

Pre-Eclampsia

Blog Written by Dr Andrew Lam

Hypertensive Disorders of Pregnancy

Gestational Hypertension

• Blood Pressure >140/90 after 20 weeks gestation in a usually normotensive woman
• No proteinuria
• No evidence of end-organ damage

Pre-Eclampsia

• Blood Pressure >140/90 after 20 weeks gestation in a usually normotensive woman

AND

• Proteinuria or evidence of end-organ damage

Chronic (Pre-Existing) Hypertension

• Hypertension diagnosed or present before pregnancy or before 20 weeks of gestation

OR

• Hypertension is first diagnosed during pregnancy and persists at least 12 weeks post-delivery

HELLP Syndrome

H – Haemolysis

EL – Elevated liver enzymes

LP – Low platelets (thrombocytopenia)

Complications of Pre-Eclampsia

Maternal:

• Increased risk of cardiovascular and renal disease
• Increased risk of further pre-eclampsia
• Eclampsia

Foetal:

• Foetal growth restriction
• Oligohydramnios
• Pre-term birth
• Placental abruption