User:PriceDL/Notes/Pre-eclampsia

Pre-eclampsia is the onset of hypertension and significant proteinuria after 20 weeks gestation. It is one of the leading causes of maternal mortality. The main cause of death is cerebrovascular haemorhage. The definitive cure is delivery of the baby. Anti-hypertensives are used to prolong gestation and avoid the complications of premature birth. Eclampsia is a sign of the severity of the underlying pre-eclamptic condition. The complications of prematurity are periventricular hamorrhage, respiratory distress, necrotising enterocolitis, hypoglycaemia, and hypothermia.