A.

Background

Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy are an important cause of severe

morbidity, long- term disability and death among both mothers and their babies.
In Africa and Asia, nearly one tenth of all maternal deaths are associated with
hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, whereas one quarter of maternal deaths in
Latin America have been associated with those complications. Among the
hypertensive disorders that complicate pregnancy, pre-eclampsia and eclampsia
stand out as major causes of maternal and perinatal mortality and morbidity. The
majority of deaths due to pre-eclampsia and eclampsia are avoidable through the
provision of timely and effective care to the women presenting with these
complications.
Preeclampsia is the most common complication to occur during
pregnancy. It generally develops during the third trimester and affects about 1 in
20 pregnancies. If the preeclampsia remains untreated, it can develop to
eclampsia, in which the mother can experience convulsions, coma, and can even
die. However, complications from preeclampsia are extremely rare if the mother
attends her prenatal appointments.

Pre-eclampsia is one of the leading causes of maternal and perinatal

morbidity and mortality worldwide. Nearly one-tenth of all maternal deaths in
Africa and Asia and one-quarter in Latin America are associated with
hypertensive diseases in pregnancy, a category that encompasses pre-eclampsia.

B. Problem
1. What is Pre-eclampsia ?
2. What causes Pre-eclampsia ?

C. Discussion

Preeclampsia is a pregnancy complication that causes high blood pressure,

kidney damage, and other problems. Preeclampsia is a potentially life-threatening
condition that affects about 5 percent of pregnant women in the United States.
Pre-eclampsia (PE) is a disorder of pregnancy characterized by the onset of high
blood pressure and often a significant amount of protein in the urine. When it
arises, the condition begins after 20 weeks of pregnancy. In severe disease there
may be red blood cell breakdown, a low blood platelet count, impaired liver
function, kidney dysfunction, swelling, shortness of breath due to fluid in the
lungs, or visual disturbances. Pre-eclampsia increases the risk of poor outcomes
for both the mother and the baby. If left untreated, it may result in seizures at
which point it is known as eclampsia.

 Causes of Pre-eclampsia

There is no definitive known cause of pre-eclampsia, though it is likely related to

a number of factors. Some of these factors include:

1. Abnormal placentation (formation and development of the placenta)

2. Immunologic factors
3. Prior or existing maternal pathology – pre-eclampsia is seen more at a
higher incidence in individuals with preexisting hypertension, obesity,
antiphospholipid antibody syndrome, and those with history of pre-
eclampsia
4. Dietary factors, e.g. calcium supplementation in areas where dietary
calcium intake is low has been shown to reduce the risk of pre-eclampsia
5. Environmental factors, e.g. air pollution

D. Conclussion

Preeclampsia is a pregnancy complication that causes high blood pressure,

kidney damage, and other problems. Pre-eclampsia increases the risk of poor
outcomes for both the mother and the baby. If left untreated, it may result in
seizures at which point it is known as eclampsia. There is no definitive known
cause of pre-eclampsia, Some of these factors include is abnormal
placentation, immunologic factors, prior or existing maternal pathology
,dietary factors, environmental factors.
E. Source

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pre-eclampsia

https://www.news-medical.net/health/What-is-Pre-eclampsia.aspx

https://www.preeclampsia.org/health-information/sign-symptoms

https://www.healthline.com/health/preeclampsia-causes