Preeclampsia and Eclampsia
When a pregnant woman develops both high blood pressure and a high level of protein in the urine, it can be a dangerous situation for both the mother and her unborn baby. This is termed preeclampsia. Also called toxemia, this condition typically arises in the latter half a pregnancy, and if left untreated, it develops into eclampsia.
Eclampsia causes a mother to have seizures, fall into a coma, and even die before, during, or after her delivery. This can also cause the baby to die or be underweight or premature. As one of the leading causes of prematurity, eclampsia can cause a baby to have epilepsy, cerebral palsy, or hearing, vision, and learning disabilities.
Risks Factors for Preeclampsia
Doctors are not certain what causes these conditions, but there are some conditions and circumstances that can act as risk factors, including:
- First time pregnancies
- Pregnancy as a teen or pregnancy over the age of 40
- High blood pressure before pregnancy
- Obesity
- Multiple births
- Diseases such as diabetes, lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, or kidney disorders
Preeclampsia Symptoms
Because early detection is crucial when treating preeclampsia, to help prevent it becoming full eclampsia, you should know the symptoms of the disorder. It can cause swelling of the hands, feet, and legs, which is a frequent occurrence during regular pregnancies. However, there are other potential issues, including:
- Abdominal pain
- Headaches
- Little or no urine
- Dizziness
- Nausea
- Vomiting
Sadly, there is no specific treatment for preeclampsia besides the birth of the baby. However, doctors should monitor preeclampsia symptoms and call for bed rest if necessary. Additionally, medication can be used to treat high blood pressure, and magnesium injections can be used to prevent seizures.
If a doctor fails to diagnose and treat preeclampsia, a mother can move into eclampsia, which can result in lifelong disabilities or even death for her baby. Negligence in treating this disorder may count as medical malpractice.
Contact Us
For more information regarding birth injuries, contact the Philadelphia birth injury lawyers of Lowenthal & Abrams, P.C., today at 215-238-1130