Preeclampsia
Alternate Names : Pregnancy-Induced Hypertension (PIH), Toxemia
What can be done to prevent the condition?
There are no known ways to prevent preeclampsia. All pregnant women should have early prenatal care. Blood pressure changes should be watched closely.
What are the long-term effects of the condition?
Preeclampsia may cause pregnancy complications, including the following:
increased risk for cesarean section
intrauterine growth retardation, a lack of normal growth of the baby within the womb
placenta abruptio, or separation of the placenta from the uterine wall
premature labor
stillbirth
suffocation at birth, or asphyxia
Preeclampsia can also cause the following health problems that affect both mother and baby:
acute renal failure, or kidney failure
disseminated intravascular coagulation, or DIC, a clotting problem that causes widespread bleeding
eclampsia, with high blood pressure, coma, and seizures
HELLP syndrome, which includes liver and blood disorders
intracerebral hemorrhage and stroke
What are the risks to others?
Preeclampsia is not contagious. Both mother and baby are at risk for complications of preeclampsia.
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