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Preeclampsia

Preeclampsia Overview

Preeclampsia is a serious complication of pregnancy associated with the development of high blood pressure and protein in the urine. Women diagnosed with preeclampsia may also complain of blurred vision, headaches, extreme swelling, and experience greater than normal weight gain. Toxemia is a common name used to describe preeclampsia.

  • Approximately 5-7% of all pregnancies are complicated by preeclampsia.
  • Preeclampsia usually occurs in a woman's first pregnancy but may occur for the first time in a subsequent pregnancy.
  • Less than one in 100 women with preeclampsia will develop eclampsia or convulsions (seizures).
  • Up to 20% of all pregnancies are complicated by high blood pressure. Complications resulting from high blood pressure, preeclampsia, and eclampsia may account for up to 20% of all deaths that occur in pregnant women.


Next: Preeclampsia Causes »

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Preeclampsia

Pregnancy Overview

Pregnancy occurs when an egg is fertilized by a sperm, grows inside a woman's uterus (womb), and develops into a baby. In humans, this process takes about 264 days, but the obstetrician will date from the last menstrual period or 280 days (40 weeks).

  • The doctor will use certain terms in discussing a woman's pregnancy. Some of the following definitions are useful:

    • Intra-uterine pregnancy: A normal pregnancy occurs when a fertilized egg is implanted in the uterus (womb) and an embryo grows.

    • Embryo: The term used for the developing fertilized egg during the first 12 weeks of pregnancy.

    • Fetus: The term used for the developing embryo after 12 weeks of gestation.

    • Beta human chorionic gonadotropin (also called beta-hCG): This hormone is secreted by the placenta and can be measured to determine the presence and p...

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Read What Your Physician is Reading on eMedicine

Preeclampsia »

Preeclampsia is a pregnancy-specific syndrome characterized by new-onset hypertension and proteinuria, occurring usually after 20 weeks' gestation.

Read More on eMedicine »

Medical Dictionary