DISEASE SCANNER

Global Incurable Diseases Tracker

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Rare Disease

Preeclampsia

HIGH SEVERITY

A pregnancy complication characterized by high blood pressure and signs of damage to other organ systems, typically liver and kidneys. Usually begins after 20 weeks of pregnancy. Can lead to serious complications for both mother and baby including eclampsia (seizures). Leading cause of maternal and perinatal morbidity worldwide.

Global Affected

10.0M

Countries

124

Symptoms

High blood pressure (>140/90)
Protein in urine
Severe headaches
Visual disturbances (blurred vision, light sensitivity)
Upper abdominal pain (especially right side)
Nausea or vomiting
Sudden weight gain
Swelling (edema) in face and hands
Decreased urine output
Shortness of breath

Treatment Options

Delivery of baby (definitive treatment)
Magnesium sulfate (seizure prevention)
Antihypertensive medications
Bed rest (controversial)
Corticosteroids (if preterm delivery expected)
Close fetal monitoring
Hospitalization (severe cases)
Early delivery (if severe or at term)
Low-dose aspirin (prevention in high-risk)
Calcium supplementation (in low-intake populations)

Risk Factors

1First pregnancy (nulliparity)
2Previous preeclampsia
3Multiple gestation (twins, triplets)
4Chronic hypertension
5Diabetes (pre-existing or gestational)
6Obesity
7Age >35 or <20
8Family history
9Kidney disease
10Autoimmune disorders (lupus, antiphospholipid syndrome)
11In vitro fertilization
12Interval >10 years between pregnancies

Diagnostic Methods

  • 1Blood pressure monitoring
  • 2Urine protein testing
  • 3Blood tests (CBC, liver enzymes, creatinine)
  • 4Fetal monitoring (NST, BPP, Doppler)
  • 5Ultrasound (fetal growth, amniotic fluid)
  • 624-hour urine collection

Prognosis

Generally good with proper management. Most cases resolve after delivery. Can progress to eclampsia (seizures), HELLP syndrome, stroke, or organ failure if untreated. Increased risk of cardiovascular disease later in life. Recurrence in 15-20% of subsequent pregnancies. Perinatal complications include prematurity, growth restriction, and stillbirth.

Prevention

  • Low-dose aspirin (high-risk women)
  • Regular prenatal care
  • Blood pressure monitoring
  • Healthy weight before pregnancy
  • Control pre-existing conditions
  • Adequate calcium intake
  • Limit salt intake
  • Regular exercise
  • Avoid smoking and alcohol

Research Status

Delivery is definitive treatment. Antihypertensives (labetalol, nifedipine, methyldopa) for blood pressure control. Magnesium sulfate to prevent seizures (eclampsia). Close monitoring until delivery. Low-dose aspirin for high-risk nulliparous women for prevention. Prediction models using biomarkers (sFlt-1, PlGF) being developed.

Affected Countries

United StatesUnited KingdomCanadaAustraliaGermanyFranceItalySpainJapanChinaIndiaBrazilMexicoRussiaSwedenNorwayFinlandNetherlandsBelgiumSwitzerlandAustriaPolandCzech RepublicHungaryRomaniaBulgariaCroatiaSloveniaSlovakiaLTLVEEIrelandPortugalGreeceDenmarkNew ZealandSouth KoreaTaiwanSingaporeHong KongMalaysiaThailandIndonesiaPhilippinesVietnamSouth AfricaEgyptTurkeySaudi ArabiaUAEUkraineBelarusMDALBASerbiaMEMKXKArgentinaChileColombiaPeruVenezuelaEcuadorUYPYBOCRPAGuatemalaHNSVNIBZJMTTBBBSCubaDominican RepublicHaitiNigeriaKenyaTanzaniaUgandaRWGhanaEthiopiaMozambiqueZambiaZimbabweBWNASZLSMalawiMGMUSCKMGWGNSLLRGMSenegalMaliBFNETDCFCMGAGQCGDR CongoAOSTBJTGBJTG

Sources

  • https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/preeclampsia
  • https://www.acog.org/womens-health/faqs/preeclampsia-and-high-blood-pressure-during-pregnancy
  • https://www.hematology.org/education/patients
  • https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books
  • https://rarediseases.org/rare-diseases

Medical Disclaimer

This information is for educational purposes only. Always consult healthcare professionals for medical advice, diagnosis, and treatment.