Preeclampsia Diagnosis

PreEclampsia Diagnosis

Preeclampsia, a potentially life threatening complication of pregnancy, is characterized by an elevated Blood Pressure. Slightest increase in blood pressure after the 20th week of pregnancy along with the signs of organ damage (mostly kidneys) may indicate the development of preeclampsia. If left untreated, it can result in serious consequences and even prove to be fatal for both mother and baby. Hence timely Preeclampsia Diagnosis is extremely important and its only cure is delivery.

When to Diagnose for Preeclampsia
To determine if you need preeclampsia diagnosis, the first step is to know if you have symptoms of preeclampsia. Symptoms may completely be absent and blood pressure may shoot up suddenly. Blood pressure monitoring is an integral part of antenatal care, and a pressure of 140/90mmHg or above, if recorded at 2 separate occasions at least 4 hours apart, shouldn't be ignored. Other signs that indicate you have preeclampsia include:

• Excess Protein In Urine or additional signs of kidney problems


• Vision changes, like temporary vision loss, blurring of vision and light sensitivity


• Severe Headaches


• Abdominal pain in the upper quadrants, mostly on the right side


• Nausea and vomiting


• Reduced urinary output


• Thrombocytopenia (reduced platelets)


• Impaired liver function


• Breathlessness due to Fluid In Lungs


• Sudden weight gain


• Swelling in hands and face

But you need to visit a doctor and get tested if you experience:

• Severe headaches


• Severe abdominal pain


• Blurring of vision


• Severe breathlessness

Note: While these signs and symptoms often accompany preeclampsia, they are not reliable indicators because some of them like nausea and vomiting are normal during pregnancy, especially during the first month. If you have a hard time to differentiate them, just contact your doctor and get diagnosed.

How to Perform Preeclampsia Diagnosis
A single elevated blood pressure is not enough to determine that you have preeclampsia. Your doctor may order the following diagnosis:

1. Blood Tests
Blood tests give a complete picture of the cells and platelets (fragments playing part in blood clotting) and help in assessing kidney and liver function. Specifically blood tests are done to check:

• Uric acid, a waste product formed as a result of protein and cell break down, is usually elevated in preeclampsia, indicating kidney damage, which is responsible for its filtration. This is often the earliest lab finding in pre-eclampsia.


• Hematocrit is a value that tells us about the percentage of RBCs in the blood. For example, a value of 40 means 40% of blood is made up of RBCs. In non-pregnant state, this ranges between 36 and 44, but during pregnancy there is an increase in plasma, making red blood cells less concentrated and reducing hematocrit values. But preeclampsia causes plasma to be absorbed and raises hematocrit value abnormally.


• Platelets number can be reduced abnormally due to preeclampsia.


• Partial thromboplastin time (PTT) is the time required for blood to clot, which may be increased in preeclampsia, since it disturbs clotting process.


• Body electrolyte levels may change if preeclampsia causes kidney damage or blood vessel fluid leakage. Important electrolytes include sodium, potassium, chloride, magnesium and calcium.


• Kidney function: Blood urea nitrogen, creatinine and certain substances cleared from the blood by kidney can be checked to assess kidney function. Preeclampsia causes kidney damage and prevents the removal of these waste products, resulting in their increase in blood.


• Liver function: Certain enzymes can be investigated to assess liver function as well.

2. Urinalysis
The second preeclampsia diagnosis method is urinalysis. Itcan be used to diagnose preeclampsia by measuring protein to creatinine ratio. Besides, collecting urine over a period of 24 hours and assessing the quantity of protein lost in urine can be used to determine the severity of preeclampsia.

3. Fetal Ultrasound
Regular ultrasounds help in keeping a tab on baby’s growth, which allow the doctor to make an estimation of the amount of amniotic fluid present in the cavity as well as the weight of the baby.

4. Biophysical Profile
Also called a nonStress test, it checks baby’s heart rate on movement. When combined with the finding of an ultrasound, it can provide more information about baby’s tone, movement, breathing and amniotic fluid volume in the uterus.

How to Treat Preeclampsia
Once preeclampsia diagnosis is made, its treatments should follow immediately. Options include:

1. Medication
Medicines that can be given in this condition are:

• Antihypertensives: Although blood pressure of 140/90 mmHg doesn’t fall in the category where treatment is required, dangerously high blood pressure should be treated with antihypertensive drugs to lower blood pressure. While not all such medicines are safe during pregnancy, make sure you consult your doctor to check if you need them or not.


• Corticosteroids tend to improve platelet and liver function, and prolong pregnancy in severe preeclampsia. It also helps in fetus lung maturation within 48 hours to aid in preparing baby for life outside of the womb after premature delivery.


• Anticonvulsants, like magnesium sulfate, may help in preventing seizures in severe cases.

2. Hospitalization
In severe cases of preeclampsia, you may have to live in the hospital for some time, so your doctor can perform regular tests to monitor your baby's health and the amount of your amniotic fluid volume. An insufficient of this fluid may indicate the poor blood supply to your baby.

3. Delivery
Delivery is the ultimate solution for preeclampsia.

• If preeclampsia develops towards the end of your pregnancy, doctor may suggest inducing labor. But the assessment of cervix readiness (dilation, effacement and its softness) also plays a role in this process. In severe cases, your doctor will induce labor or arrange a C-section directly without any assessment. Anticonvulsant is given intravenously during the process.


• Blood pressure returns to normal within 12 weeks after delivery and painkillers approved by the doctor may also be taken. NSAids, like ibuprofen and naproxen sodium, tend to increase your blood pressure and should be avoided, but acetaminophen is a safe option.

What Is Preeclampsia?

What Is PreEclampsia?

According to the Preeclampsia Foundation, preeclampsia is responsible for 5 to 8 percent of pregnancy complications. If not treated in time, the disorder can be life threatening, but what is preeclampsia? Basically, this is a hypertensive disease that normally develops in the second trimester of a pregnancy. Although the condition is serious, you can expect a positive outcome if you are suffering from this condition. Based on findings by the Preeclampsia Foundation, the majority of preeclampsia patients end up delivering healthy babies and recover fully from the condition. However, it is imperative that you seek prompt medical attention if you are suffering from this condition.

What Is Preeclampsia?
Preeclampsia is a pregnancy complication whose main symptom is high Blood Pressure and damage to other organ systems in the body, especially the kidney. Since this happens even to people with normal blood pressure, a slight rise in blood pressure may be an indicator of the condition. In most cases, the condition sets in the 20th week of the pregnancy. If detected earlier than this, it is very challenging for you and the doctor to manage it until the child is born. This is mainly because the real remedy for this condition is delivering the baby. The condition is very dangerous and even fatal for both the mother and the child if not treated. While the baby needs some time to mature fully, you should never put yourself or the baby at risk of complications.

What Are the Symptoms of Preeclampsia?


Signs of preeclampsia are not easy to detect. The condition can develop without any symptoms. However, a rise in blood pressure, either gradual or sudden, may be an indicator of the condition. This is why your blood pressure is closely monitored during prenatal care; a blood pressure of 140/90mm Hg or higher, detected twice within and interval of more than four hours can be an indicator of preeclampsia. Othersymptoms that may be used to diagnose this condition include:

• Severe Headaches


• Vomiting or nausea


• Reduced urine output


• Impaired functioning of the liver


• Reduction in the number of platelets


• Pain in the upper abdomen – normally under the right ribs


• Shortness of breath – this is caused by the presence of Fluid In The Lungs


• Signs of kidney problems and Proteinuria – presence of excess protein in your urine


• Changes in vision such as blurred vision, temporary loss of vision and light sensitivity


• Swelling and sudden weight gain - usually in the hands and the face. While these two may be signs of preeclampsia, they can also occur in any normal pregnancy

When to See a Doctor
Suffering from this condition requires urgent treatment. Any of the following symptoms are a reason why you should seek medical attention:

• Severe headaches


• Decreased urine output


• Increased blood pressure, above 140/90 mm Hg


• New and sudden swelling in the hands, eyes and face


• A sudden weight gain within a period of 1 to 2 days


• Pain in the upper abdomen, mostly under the right ribs


• Impaired vision, including flashing lights, floaters and blurry vision

In other cases, the condition may develop without showing any signs of preeclampsia. As such, it is very important to regularly visit a doctor for urine and blood pressure tests while pregnant.

What Causes Preeclampsia?
While doctors have not yet settled on a single cause of this condition, they are exploring various possibilities, including:

• Diet


• Genetic factors


• Blood vessels complications


• Autoimmune disorders

Additionally, other risk factors may predispose mothers to this condition. Such factors include:

• Obesity


• First pregnancy


• History of kidney problems


• Getting pregnant at an early age


• Multiple fetuses in the uterus


• Advanced maternal age, above 35 years


• Diabetes and Hypertension history

Currently, the condition cannot be prevented. However, early and regular prenatal care can lead to early diagnosis and appropriate monitoring until you deliver your baby.

What Effects Will It Have?
Basically, the earlier the condition sets in and the more severe it is, the more risky it is for you and the unborn child. Most of the women who contract preeclampsia suffer from mild conditions and deliver safely with appropriate care. Severe cases of this condition lead to the constriction of blood vessels, hence high blood pressure. The reduced blood flow that follows can affect various organs in the body, including kidneys, brain and the liver. Additionally, reduced blood flow to the uterus has several implications for the baby, such as little amniotic fluid, Placental Abruption and poor growth. Since adverse cases of this condition can be threatening, early delivery is advised for the safety of both the mother and the unborn baby. This increased pressure in the blood vessels may also cause fluids to leak from the capillaries into the neighboring tissues resulting in swelling. Again, the increased pressure can also cause protein to spill from the bloodstream into the urine.

How to Know If You Have Preeclampsia
What is Preeclampsia? This is a question that has been disturbing many expectant mothers. Rather than wondering what preeclampsia is,you should focus on how to know whether you have it. There are many tests that are carried out during a prenatal checkup, including urine levels and blood pressure, to ascertain whether you are suffering from this condition. Other tests that a doctor may conduct to confirm the condition include: blood-clotting and kidney functions, ultrasound scan to determine the growth of the fetus as well as a Doppler scan to determine the efficiency of blood flow to the placenta.

How Is Preeclampsia Treated?
In addition to wondering what the signs of preeclampsia are, patients are also wondering how the condition may be treated. It is impossible to cure this condition until the baby is born. However, the following remedies may be used to manage the condition until the baby is delivered:

1. Apply Some Medications
An array of medications may be used in managing this condition. Some of the commonly used medications include Corticosteroids, Antihypertensive and Anticonvulsive. Antihypertensive drugs are administered to lower the blood pressure; Corticosteroids are used to improve liver and platelet functioning in the patients while Anticonvulsive medications are used to prevent a first seizure.

2. Get More Rest
If the condition is mild and is at an early stage of the pregnancy, the doctor will advise the patient to have bed rest and move only when necessary. This will help in bringing the blood pressure down and increase blood flow to the uterus. Additionally, the baby is monitored closely. In severe cases of the condition, the mother may be hospitalized for close monitoring.

3. Induce Labor
If the condition is detected towards the end of the pregnancy, doctors will induce early delivery. In other severe cases of preeclampsia, doctors perform a C-section or induce early delivery to save the mother and the child. During such an induced birth, magnesium sulfate may be given to the mother to prevent seizures and improve uterine blood flow. After delivery, symptoms of the condition will disappear soon afterwards.

Can Preeclampsia Be Prevented?
While it may be impossible to prevent this condition, there are some things that may be done to prevent high blood pressure. For instance, you should adhere to your doctor’s instructions regarding exercise and diet. Other things that may be done include:

• Taking 6-8 glasses of water every day


• Using minimal salt in your food


• Avoid junk and fried foods


• Have enough rest


• Exercise regularly


• Avoid alcohol drinking


• Keep your feet in an elevated position a couple of times in a day


• Avoid taking beverages that have caffeine


• Take subscription drugs as well as additional supplements

Preeclampsia

Eclampsia">Preeclampsia






Preeclampsia is a condition that occurs to some pregnant women, during which there would be high Blood Pressure and high protein level in the urine. Often it occurs during the third trimester of pregnancy (30-35th week) and in rare cases it can occur after delivery. Preeclampsia can cause sudden seizures during pregnancy which can affect the normal growth of fetus. Not all the pregnant women would develop preeclampsia. And in case any pregnant woman has this condition, the doctor would closely monitor her health and fetus health.

Causes :

Why only some pregnant women develop preeclampsia and others not? There is no clear reason to explain this question. Not having proper nutritious diet during pregnancy can cause this problem. It is believed to occur when there is not sufficient blood supply in the uterus. Women who have weak immunity have increased risk of developing preeclampsia during pregnancy.

Who are at risk?

Teenage women who are pregnant have more chance to develop preeclampsia, since the uterus would not have developed fully preparing itself for the growing fetus. Women with a family history of this problem have high risk. If a pregnant woman already has blood pressure she may develop preeclampsia. Women with immune disorders like Rheumatoid Arthritis or lupus before pregnancy may get preeclampsia.

Symptoms :

Preeclampsia is a condition and not a disease. It can cause increase in blood pressure, increase in the level of protein, and increase in weight. It is quite common for pregnant women to have weight gain due to the growing fetus. But if this weight gain is due to rapid increase in the level of bodily fluids it may be due to preeclampsia.

Some women may show symptoms of dizziness, confusion, tiredness and Headache due to preeclampsia. Normal urine outflow may get decreased during this stage. In case any pregnant woman develops sudden weight gain with blurring of vision and decreased urine output, it can be due to preeclampsia. It is wise to monitor your health regularly if you are pregnant and report any changes in blood pressure to prevent further damage.

Tests :

If your doctor suspects preeclampsia, she may order for urine analysis. Increased level of Protein in Urine and increased blood pressure can indicate this condition. She may order for complete blood tests to confirm the diagnosis.

Treatment :

No medications are available to treat preeclampsia. Treatment can be given only for managing the symptoms. Often, the symptoms of preeclampsia will resolve after childbirth without any treatment. Blood pressure can be controlled using suitable drugs if there is sudden increase in blood pressure. As a protective measure, the doctor would give steroid medications to improve the growth of fetus properly with the condition of preeclampsia.

Women with this condition should be careful in managing their health as well as the fetus. Taking complete rest can help in controlling blood pressure. For women who develop seizures due to preeclampsia, Lorazepam can be given. If the doctor feels that baby’s growth is complete, she may consider making C-section delivery if the pregnant women has completed 34th week.

In severe cases, the women would be hospitalized and given emergency treatment until the completion of delivery. In rare cases, preeclampsia can affect the growth of fetus with sudden decrease in blood flow to the uterus. Hence both the women and the baby’s health will be monitored closely by the doctor. In rare cases placenta can get cut off from the uterus leading to abrupt stoppage of fetus growth. In that case, surgical procedure is done to save the life of the baby. Kidney or liver of the fetus can get damaged due to severe types of preeclampsia.

Prevention :

You can do nothing to prevent preeclampsia. But you can always be more careful when you are pregnant. Visit your doctor regularly and report any changes to her. Check your blood pressure and monitor your weight and tell your doctor if you find any abnormalities. With little care and close monitoring of your health, you can avoid complications caused by preeclampsia.