PREECLAMPSIA

Hypertensive disorder specific to pregnancy
affects nearly 6% of all pregnancies
a major cause of maternal and neonatal mortality and morbidity
15 to 20 % of maternal mortality in developed countries

Severity ranges from:
a mild disorder (transient hypertension in the later part of the pregnancy) to
a life-threatening disorder with seizures, HELLP syndrome, fetal hypoxia, and growth retardation
more severe disease: 0.56 per 1000 deliveries

Predisposes women to other serious complications:
placental abruption
acute renal failure
cerebral hemorrhage
disseminated intravascular coagulation
circulatory collapse
The etiology is unknown
believed to be involved:
immune maladaptation
placental ischemia
oxidative stress
genetic susceptibility
Classification of hypertension in pregnancy
Gestational hypertension
Preeclampsia / eclampsia
Chronic hypertension
Preeclampsia superimposed on chronic hypertension