Pre-Eclampsia

Visual disturbance is a warning sign of pre-eclampsia and must be assessed.

What our notes say

• Visual disturbance is a warning sign of pre-eclampsia and must be assessed. (Reproductive Health 1 End of Trimester CAT: 40 MCQs and 4 short answers)
• Aortic dissection and pre-eclampsia are exceptions with their own targets. (Hypertension)
• Social: education, alcohol, smoking, drugs, occupation (radiation, halothane, chemical exposure) and income (low socio-economic status is linked to pre-eclampsia and preterm labour). (Assessment of the obstetric patient)
• | Weight | A gain of more than 1 kg a week is abnormal (fluid retention, pre-eclampsia) | (Assessment of the obstetric patient)
• | Blood pressure | Falls early; the diastolic falls more (up to 15 mmHg); lowest at 24–28 weeks; rises towards term but not above pre-pregnancy values | A raised BP is never normal: think pre-eclampsia | (Physiological changes in pregnancy)
• BP of 130/80 or more in the second trimester is not "normal for pregnancy": check urine protein and think pre-eclampsia. (Physiological changes in pregnancy)

Study material on Pre-Eclampsia

• Female & Male Genital Pathology: Ulcers, HPV, Endometriosis, Pre-eclampsia
• Junior Clerkship in Reproductive Health (MBOG 4200): end of year examination, 4 July 2019
• Assessment of the obstetric patient
• Antenatal care

Related topics

• Eclampsia
• Preterm Labour
• Postpartum Haemorrhage
• Gestational Diabetes
• Endometriosis
• Antenatal Care
• Assessment of the Obstetric Patient
• Antepartum Haemorrhage
• Pelvis
• Ectopic Pregnancy