Pre-eclampsia.
Pre-eclampsia affects 3-5% of pregnancies and is traditionally diagnosed by the combined presentation of high blood pressure and proteinuria. New definitions also include maternal organ dysfunction, such as renal insufficiency, liver involvement, neurological or haematological complications, uteroplacental dysfunction, or fetal growth restriction. When left untreated, pre-eclampsia can be lethal, and in low-resource settings, this disorder is one of the main causes of maternal and child mortality. In the absence of curative treatment, the management of pre-eclampsia involves stabilisation of the mother and fetus, followed by delivery at an optimal time. Although algorithms to predict pre-eclampsia are promising, they have yet to become validated. Simple preventive measures, such as low-dose aspirin, calcium, and diet and lifestyle interventions, show potential but small benefit. Because pre-eclampsia predisposes mothers to cardiovascular disease later in life, pregnancy is also a window for future health. A collaborative approach to discovery and assessment of the available treatments will hasten our understanding of pre-eclampsia and is an effort much needed by the women and babies affected by its complications.
The Robinson Research Institute, School of Paediatrics and Reproductive Health, University of Adelaide, SA, Australia. Electronic address: ben.mol@adelaide.edu.au.
Ben W J
BWJ
Mol
The Robinson Research Institute, School of Paediatrics and Reproductive Health, University of Adelaide, SA, Australia.
Claire T
CT
Roberts
Women's Health Research Unit, Barts and the London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK.
Shakila
S
Thangaratinam
BC Women's Hospital and Health Centre, Vancouver, BC, Canada.
Laura A
LA
Magee
Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, Netherlands.
Christianne J M
CJM
de Groot
Effective Care Research Unit, University of the Witwatersrand, University of Fort Hare, and Eastern Cape Department of Health, East London, South Africa.
G Justus
GJ
Hofmeyr
D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D011225:Pre-Eclampsia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D011247:Pregnancy