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Preeclampsia - Symptom

Alternative Names

Toxemia; Pregnancy-induced hypertension

Symptoms:

Symptoms of preeclampsia can include:

Headaches
Swelling of the hands and face (edema)
Weight gain
- More than 2 pounds per week
- Sudden weight gain over 1 - 2 days

Note: Some swelling of the feet and ankles is considered normal with pregnancy.

Other symptoms that can occur with this disease:

Abdominal pain
Agitation
Decreased urine output
Nausea and vomiting
Vision changes

Signs and tests:

Increase in blood pressure
Higher than normal liver enzymes
Platelet count less than 100,000 (thrombocytopenia)
Protein in the urine (proteinuria)
Swelling in the upper body
Weight gain

Preeclampsia

Reviewed last on: 10/28/2008
Linda Vorvick, MD, Seattle Site Coordinator, Lecturer, Pathophysiology, MEDEX Northwest Division of Physician Assistant Studies, University of Washington School of Medicine; and Susan Storck, MD, FACOG, Chief, Eastside Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Group Health Cooperative of Puget Sound, Redmond, Washington; Clinical Teaching Faculty, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Washington School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

References

Sibai BM. Hypertension. In: Gabbe SG, Niebyl JR, Simpson JL, eds. Obstetrics - Normal and Problem Pregnancies. 5th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Elsevier Churchill Livingstone; 2007:chap 33.

Cunnigham FG, Leveno KL, Bloom SL, et al . Hypertensive disorders in pregnancy. In: Cunnigham FG, Leveno KL, Bloom SL, et al, eds. Williams Obstetrics. 22nd ed. New York, NY; McGraw-Hill; 2005:chap 34.

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