Maternal and Fetal Consequences of Preeclampsia

About 6 to 8 percent of all pregnancies, especially primigravidae is complicated by preeclampsia, a classical triad of elevated blood pressure, proteinuria and edema. Maternal and neonatal morbidity and mortality are of utmost concern as the etiology of preeclampsia is uncertain. At-risk pregnant women can be suspected if they are primigravidae, multiparous, obesed, diabetic, hypertensive, or if they have familial history of hypertension, diabetes, or renal vascular disease. Progression to severe preeclampsia is usually followed by such devastating consequences, but Patients chances of survival are reportedly maximized if they are delivered of the baby, the survival advantage of the latter been a function of the extent of maturity for the gestational age. Early identification of high-risk pregnant women and subsequent monitoring, are surely pivotal steps in prevention, while subsidization of antenatal services especially in developed countries will significantly reduce the global burden of the condition in the years to come.