Pre-eclampsia: Dangerous, Baffling and on the Rise

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Pre-eclampsia:
Dangerous, Baffling and on the Rise

March 13, 2001

Pre-eclampsia is a serious condition of pregnancy that occurs in up to 5% of all pregnancies. Doctors have not known how to prevent it or what causes it. Now, they need to add another question to their list: Why has the incidence of pre-eclampsia increased by almost one third in the 1990's?

This condition rears its ugly head in late pregnancy with a sudden rise in blood pressure, protein in the urine, and the swelling of the hands and feet, and maybe face. There can be abdominal pain as well, and headaches and trouble with vision. Pre-eclampsia can be life threatening to mother and child. The only known cure is delivery of the child, though mild cases can be treated with bed rest.

This condition needs to be taken seriously. With the significant increase in incidence, scientists are searching for answers. It has been suggested that the increase is due to the fact that more and more women are having babies later in life - after the age of 35. Also, there has been an increase in multiple births. Other identified risk factors include a maternal history of high blood pressure, a history of pre-eclampsia, kidney disease and blood-clotting disorders. Some scientists have suggested that the immune system in some mothers may make them susceptible.

There is to be a meeting in April at the National Institutes of Health to further examine pre-eclampsia. Headed by Dr. James M. Roberts of Pittsburgh's Mcgee Women's Research Institute, the goal is to encourage new research and initiate a study of 8000 women to see if various vitamins might prevent or lessen the severity of pre-eclampisa. The focus is on the maternal blood vessels and whether or not some women are predisposed to this condition by constricted blood flow. Dr. Roberts is optimistic that there will be effective treatments available in the near future.

In the meantime, what is a pregnant woman to do? Don't skip any prenatal visits with your healthcare provider, especially if you already have any of the identified risk factors. The condition can disguise itself as other rather "normal" symptoms of pregnancy and only your healthcare provider should be the judge if this is pre-eclampsia.