Preeclampsia Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Preeclampsia - Essay Example Other risk factors include promigravida, hydatidiform mole, multiple pregnancy, urinary tract infection, black race, nulliparity, presence of chronic diseases like diabetes, obesity, chronic hypertension and renal disease, and positive family history of preeclampsia (Erogul, Emedicine). Hypertension means a systolic blood pressure (BP) greater than 140 mm Hg and a diastolic BP greater than 90 mm Hg on 2 successive measurements 4-6 hours apart. Proteinuria means 300 mg or more of protein in a 24-hour urine sample or a urine protein-to-creatinine ratio of 0.19 or greater (Erogul, Emedicine). The pathophysiology of preeclampsia is not well established. However, most researchers believe that placental hypoperfusion is the inciting event resulting in abnormal formation of uteroplacental spiral arterioles. These arterioles are highly sensitive to vasoconstriction. Placental hypoperfusion causes release of systemic vasoactive compounds which cause exaggerated inflammatory response, vasoconstriction, endothelial damage, capillary leak, hypercoagulability, and platelet dysfunction (Erogul, Emedicine). Mild-to-moderate preeclampsia may be asymptomatic. Most of the cases are detected through routine prenatal testing. Infact symptoms are mostly seen when end-organs are affected. Some of the symptoms which can be attributed to preeclampsia are headache, visual disturbances, dysnea, malaise and edema. Along with increased blood pressure, physical examination may reveal altered mental status, decreased vision, papilledema, hyperreflexia, seizures and focal neurodeficit (Erogul, Emedicine). Preclampsia should be managed by controlling blood pressure with antihypertensive agents. The goal should be to maintain diastolic blood pressure between 90 and 100 mm Hg and systolic pressure between 140 and 155 mm Hg. In case the patient develops seizures, the patient should be admitted to emergency