preeclampsia or severe hypertension during pregnancy is a
potentially dangerous condition itself. But if not treated early, it can lead
to eclampsia, a much more serious condition still, which can cause seizures,
coma and possibly death. A new blood test that checks the enzymes in the placenta
can help determine whether women have higher risk of developing preeclampsia,
and thus take measures to control it.
Many pregnant women will feel safer knowing that there is
already a test to measure the risk of developing preeclampsia, a form of high
blood pressure associated with excess protein in the urine that occurs after 20
weeks of pregnancy in a woman had no hypertension previously. When left
unchecked, can progress to eclampsia and damage various organs (kidney, liver
and brain), and lead to fetal complications like premature birth, low birth
weight baby and give birth to the dead baby. Hence the importance of
identifying to start treatment quickly.
Now, do not confuse the preeclampsia with a slight increase
in blood pressure, something common in pregnant women. But if that increase is
sudden and severe (more than 140/90 Hg) and occurs after the 20th week of
pregnancy, is a typical sign of preeclampsia. According to the National Heart,
Lung and Blood Institute, hypertension affects 6% to 8% of pregnant women in
the United States. Eclampsia occurs in one of every 200 women with pre
eclampsia, and can be fatal if not treated.
In fact, pre-eclampsia and eclampsia are leading causes of
illness and death in mothers and newborns.
In addition to hypertension, other symptoms of preeclampsia
include: swelling of the face, arms, hands and feet, and sudden weight gain due
to fluid retention. Later headaches and abdomen, blurred vision, dizziness, nausea
and vomiting may occur.
According to a study published in early November in the
journal Circulation, the American Heart Association (American Heart Association),
new blood test that checks the placenta enzymes can help determine whether a
woman is at increased risk of developing this severe form of high blood
pressure during pregnancy. The purpose of the test is to differentiate women
with preeclampsia from those with only hypertension. This is a breakthrough
because current tests can detect hypertension at the time when measured, but cannot
predict what will happen later. And if it occurs after the disease has
progressed and has caused severe damage to the body.
To identify women at high risk of developing preeclampsia,
obstetricians can take steps to monitor and control your blood pressure. At the
same time, unnecessary hospitalizations of pregnant women have higher risk of
developing preeclampsia is avoided.
The study included 625 women in the UK. 61% of those who
developed preeclampsia had low levels of enzymes or proteins in the placenta,
called growth factors. This occurs when the placenta (which has a normal
arterial system) make an abnormal balance of these enzymes. In preeclampsia,
these changes decrease the arterial blood supply to the fetus and placenta, and
various organs of the mother.
The researchers also found that if these enzymes down to a
certain level before 35 weeks of pregnancy, the baby was likely born within 14
days. In normal pregnancy, the level of enzymes in the placenta remains more
stable.
The new test can find out if a woman has a higher risk of
preeclampsia or eclampsia during pregnancy. But if you are pregnant, it is also
important to know your chances of developing both. Your odds are better if:
Suffer from chronic hypertension
You are obese
You are diabetic
You suffer from kidney disease (kidney)
You're a teenager or over 40 years
You have a multiple pregnancy (twins, triplets ...)
Your mother, your sister or your daughter have suffered from
preeclampsia or high blood pressure (hypertension) during pregnancy.
If you have any of these risk factors, stay alert to the
symptoms of pre-eclampsia. If you find any, go immediately to your doctor for a
thorough examination and then take action if necessary. That depends not only
on your health and perhaps your life, but also your baby.
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