A multivariate analysis of risk factors for preeclampsia

Article Abstract:

Preeclampsia is a serious condition that generally occurs during the third trimester, or last three months, of pregnancy. It is characterized by rising blood pressure, headache, albumin (protein) in the urine, and edema (fluid retention) in the hands, ankles and feet. If left untreated, it can lead to eclampsia, which may cause convulsions, coma and death. Preeclampsia is associated with premature birth, intrauterine growth retardation, and stillbirth. Low-dose aspirin therapy prevents the development of preeclampsia, but since it may increase other risks, it is important to identify and treat only those women who are most likely to develop preeclampsia. Most women who develop preeclampsia have not been pregnant before or have had problems with preeclampsia in earlier pregnancies. Black women are at greater risk than white women, but there are conflicting reports about all other sociodemographic factors, leading to the designation of preeclampsia as a ''disease of theories.'' To test some of these observations, 139 women with preeclampsia and 132 healthy controls were assessed. Socioeconomic status was not a risk factor for preeclampsia. It was found that women with preeclampsia were heavier before pregnancy and were more likely to be black. Working during pregnancy more than doubled the risk of preeclampsia, which was not related to socioeconomic status. Cigarette smoking was found to protect against preeclampsia, as was alcohol consumption, but both of these behaviors pose risks to the fetus that outweigh any benefits they may have. Stillbirth was more common among smokers with preeclampsia. Risk factors differ between women who have never borne a child (nulliparas) and those who have produced one or more children (multiparas), and should be examined separately. Further investigations are necessary to determine who is at serious risk of developing preeclampsia. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Cases, Reports, Demographic aspects, Pregnancy, Complications of, Pregnancy complications, Epidemiological research, Cross sectional studies

---

Association of Maternal Endothelial Dysfunction With Preeclampsia

Article Abstract:

Women with a history of preeclampsia during pregnancy have abnormal blood vessel function that may involve free radical damage. This was the conclusion of a study of 113 with a history of preeclampsia and 48 with no history. The blood vessel abnormality was prevented with vitamin C, which is an anti-oxidant.

Research, Abnormalities, Endothelium

---

Effect of sedation with dexmedetomidine vs lorazepam on acute brain dysfunction in mechanically ventilated patients

Article Abstract:

A study examined the effects of dexmedetomidine and lorazepam on patients in coma or afflicted by delirium in the ICU who were on a ventilator. Results showed that patients treated with dexmedetomidine remained alive longer with a lower susceptibility to delirium or coma than those treated with lorazepam.

United States, Complications and side effects, Risk factors, Comparative analysis, Dosage and administration, Sedatives, Hypnotics and sedatives, Coma, Delirium, Hypnotics, Lorazepam, Clinical report, Dexmedetomidine

Similar abstracts:

• Abstracts: Association of race and other potential risk factors with novertebral fractures in community-dwelling elderly women
• Abstracts: Air pollution and health effects: a study of medical visits among children in Santiago, Chile. part 2 Determinants of polybrominated biphenyl serum decay among women in the Michigan PBB cohort
• Abstracts: Varicella vaccination: evidence for frequent reactivation of the vaccine strain in healthy children. The role of CD4+ lymphocytes in the susceptibility of mice to stress-induced reactivation of experimental colitis
• Abstracts: Parental barriers to weaning infants from the bottle. Effect of Treating Obstructive Sleep Apnea by Tonsillectomy and/or Adenoidectomy on Obesity in Children
• Abstracts: Reducing the risk of breast cancer. Reducing the use of mechanical ventilation. "Westernizing" women's risks? Breast cancer in lower-income countries

This website is not affiliated with document authors or copyright owners. This page is provided for informational purposes only. Unintentional errors are possible.