Early detection of preeclampsia

Article Abstract:

Preeclampsia is an abnormal condition of hypertension (high blood pressure) that generally occurs in the second half of pregnancy. It is associated with increased risks for both the fetus and the mother. Prevention and early detection would be highly useful, but signs of the problem often do not appear until late in pregnancy, even though it probably originates much earlier. Developing early detection methods requires a clear definition of preeclampsia and the criteria on which to base an effective early detection test. The medical literature in this area is reviewed. (Preeclampsia is defined for this review as persistent elevations in blood pressure during the second half of pregnancy in a previously normotensive woman.) Blood pressure is measured throughout pregnancy, and studies have examined whether preeclampsia can be detected early by changes in these readings. Diastolic blood pressure readings above 80 mm Hg have been used as an indicator of preeclampsia in early pregnancy, but this index is a poor predictor of the disorder. Measures of mean arterial pressure are also not very useful in predicting preeclampsia. Proteinuria (the presence of protein in the urine) and abnormal weight gains have also been tested as predictors of preeclampsia, neither of which was found useful. Some studies have evaluated vascular responsiveness, as measured by various means, in the early detection of preeclampsia. A few reported good results, but either the studies were poorly defined or their definition of preeclampsia was too broad for the studies to be more than interesting curiosities. Numerous other tests measuring biochemical levels, coagulation abnormalities, or findings of Doppler ultrasonography, which is a diagnostic imaging technique than can be used to measure flow in vessels, have been studied as potential indicators of preeclampsia. Yet results were either contradictory or inconclusive, or else the studies were poorly designed. At present, no test for the early detection of preeclampsia has proven adequate. A few hold promise, but it seems that only better designed studies and consistent definitions of preeclampsia can lead to a valid test for the early detection of this problem. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Methods, Diagnosis, editorial

---

Low-dose aspirin in the prevention of preeclampsia and fetal growth retardation: rationale, mechanisms, and clinical trials

Article Abstract:

Preeclampsia is characterized by pregnancy-induced high blood pressure and an excess of proteins in the urine. It is a common complication of pregnancy and a major factor in maternal and infant deaths. It appears to result from an imbalance of thromboxane A2 (TXA2) production and prostacyclin (PGI2) production. TXA2 acts to constrict blood vessels and promote blood clot formation, and PGI2 has the opposite functions. Studies found that low-dose aspirin in pregnancy blocks TXA2 synthesis but does not affect PGI2 formation. Other studies have found that low-dose aspirin effectively prevents preeclampsia if treatment is initiated weeks before there are any signs of the disorder but that it does not effectively treat established cases of preeclampsia. Low-dose aspirin does not appear to pose any serious health risks to the mother or fetus.

Health aspects, Prevention, Fetus, Fetal growth retardation, Aspirin

---

Underlying disorders associated with severe early-onset preeclampsia

Article Abstract:

Women who develop severe preeclampsia early in pregnancy may have certain blood abnormalities that predispose them to this condition. Detection of these abnormalities may have implications for prenatal care and for future pregnancies. Preeclampsia is a complication of pregnancy that includes high blood pressure and protein in the urine. Researchers performed blood tests 10 weeks after delivery on 101 patients who had severe preeclampsia early in their pregnancies. Thirty-nine patients had hypertension even when they were not pregnant, and a history of hypertension is an important risk factor for severe preeclampsia. Protein S deficiency, activated protein C resistance, high levels of homocysteine, and anticardiolipin antibodies were associated with severe early-onset preeclampsia.

Abnormalities, Causes of, Protein C, Protein S deficiency

Similar abstracts:

• Abstracts: Effectiveness of ofloxacin in the treatment of Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae cervical infection
• Abstracts: Low-dose aspirin therapy for chronic stable angina: A randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial. Aspirin use and colorectal cancer: post-trial follow-up data from the Physicians' Health Study
• Abstracts: Diuretic drug use and the risk for hip fracture. Thiazide diuretics and osteoporosis: time for a clinical trial?
• Abstracts: Evaluation of social security disability in claimants with rheumatic disease. part 2 Lack of cardiac manifestations among patients with previously treated Lyme disease
• Abstracts: Transcervical endoscopic verification of congenital anomalies in the second trimester of pregnancy. Prevention of diabetes-associated embryopathy by overexpression of the free radical scavenger copper zinc superoxide dismutase in transgenic mouse embryos

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