Pre-eclampsia: Pre-eclamptic Toxaemia (PET); EPH Gestosis

Pre-eclampsia is a complication of the second half of pregnancy, labour or the first few days after delivery. New hypertension (raised blood pressure) and proteinuria (abnormal amounts of protein in the urine) are its main features. Oedema (swelling) is an inconsistent part of the condition. As its name suggests pre-eclampsia may precede eclampsia, when epileptic-like convulsions occur.

Pre-eclampsia affects about five per cent of first pregnancies. Eclampsia is much rarer. In very rare circumstances mothers can die. The babies can also suffer ­ by growing poorly, needing early delivery or by dying before birth of asphyxia. About five per cent of women, having the condition in a first pregnancy, go on to have a recurrence in the next pregnancy.

There is no known single cause for pre-eclampsia. It is detected and managed by careful and thorough ante-natal care and induced delivery if needed. There is no certain way to prevent or predict the condition.

Susceptibility to pre-eclampsia is increased:

• in a first pregnancy;
• in a woman who has been pregnant before with a history of pre-eclampsia in any of those previous pregnancies;
• in twin or multiple pregnancies;
• in very overweight women;
• in women who suffer long term hypertension, kidney disease, diabetes or some other medical conditions.

Increasing age is also a factor.

Inheritance patterns
This is, in part, a familial condition with the daughters of eclamptic women being six to eight times more likely to have pre-eclampsia. However the majority of women who get pre-eclampsia cannot identify another member of their families who has similarly suffered.

Prenatal diagnosis
None. The condition is detected by repeated antenatal checks after twenty weeks of pregnancy.

Medical text written August 2001 by Professor C Redman. Last updated December 2005 by Professor C Redman, Professor in Obstetric Medicine, Oxford University, Oxford, UK.

Further Online Resources
Medical texts in The Contact a Family Directory are designed to give a short, clear description of specific conditions and rare disorders. More extensive information on this condition can be found on a range of reliable, validated web sites and links to them are included in the CD-ROM version of this Directory. Further information on these resources can be found in our Medical Information on the Internet article.

THE PRE-ECLAMPSIA SOCIETY (PETS)

Pre-Eclampsia Society (PETS)
Rhianfa
Carmel
Caernarfon
LL54 7RL
Tel/Fax: 01702 205088
e-mail: dawnjames@clara.co.uk
e-mail: dawnrose@clara.co.uk
Web: http://www.pre-eclampsia-society.org.uk

The Society is a National Registered Charity No. 326206, established in 1981. It is a self help and support group also offering information about the latest research. It publishes a quarterly newsletter and has information available, details on request. Please send SAE. The Society has 1,000 members worldwide and an autonomous group in Germany with 300 members.

Group details last confirmed February 2008.

ACTION ON PRE-ECLAMPSIA (APEC)

APEC
84-88 Pinner Road
Harrow
HA1 4HZ
Tel: 020 8427 4217 Helpline (10am - 1pm, Mon - Fri)
020 8863 3271
Fax: 020 8424 0653
e-mail: info@apec.org.uk
Web: http://www.apec.org.uk

APEC is a National Registered Charity No. 1013557, established in 1992. It offers support and advice for families and a befriending system. It publishes a twice yearly newsletter and has information available, details on request.

Group details last confirmed October 2007.