PREECLAMPSIA IN PREGNANCY

A SEMINAR PRESENTED
BY

NWAKANMA LAURA

MAT NO: 2017/113710/REGULAR

INTRODUCTION

Preeclampsia is one of the leading causes of maternal mortality

globally with an estimated prevalence of approximately 2–8% (O.

K. Osundbade. 2011). Nearly 99% of maternal deaths resulting from

pregnancy or childbirth complications occur in low- and

middleincome countries, and an estimated 10–15% of those deaths

are associated with preeclampsia and eclampsia (P. K. Aggarwal.

2014).
OBJECTIVES
At the end of this presentation, participants should be able to;
• define preeclampsia and enumerate its types
• identify the signs, symptoms and complications of preeclampsia
• state the causes, risk factors, prevention and possibly treatment
of preeclampsia
• enumerate the nursing management of preeclampsia
Concept of the Study
Preeclampsia is a disorder of pregnancy characterized by
hypertension and proteinuria of greater than 300 mg/day. It is a
serious disorder which may lead to maternal and fetal morbidity
and mortality. Preeclampsia can be mild or severe.
Causes
• damage to the blood vessels
• insufficient blood flow to the uterus
• immune system problems
• genetic factors

Risk Factors
• First pregnancies
• Family history of preeclampsia
• Obesity
• Multiple pregnancies
Signs and Symptoms
• protein in the urine
• high blood pressure
• blurry vision, sometimes seeing flashing lights
• headaches, often severe
• shortness of breath
• pain just below the ribs on the right side
• rapid weight gain, caused by excess fluid
• nausea and vomiting during the second half of pregnancy
• lower platelet count
• impaired liver function
Diagnosis
• Blood test
• Fetal Ultrasound
• Non-stress test: The doctor checks how the baby’s heartbeat
reacts when they move. If the heartbeat increases 15 beats or
more a minute for at least 15 seconds twice every 20 minutes, it
is an indication that everything is normal.
TREATMENT
• Rest
• Antihypertensives: These help to lower blood pressure.
• Anticonvulsants: In severe cases, doctors may use these drugs to
prevent a first seizure. They may prescribe magnesium sulfate.
• Corticosteroids: If the person has preeclampsia these drugs can
help induce fetal lung maturity to prepare for premature delivery.
This can prolong the pregnancy.
• Induction of labor
CONCLUSION
Preeclampsia is a complication of pregnancy where there is a sudden
rise in blood pressure. It usually develops during the third trimester.
Preeclampsia and gestational hypertension continue to be relatively
common. Although preeclampsia appears to be much less commonly
complicated by eclampsia than it was in the past, the frequency
of preeclampsia may be increasing, particularly preeclampsia
complicated by underlying maternal morbidities such as obesity,
diabetes, and chronic hypertension.
THANKS FOR LISTENING