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Although eclampsia is a rare complication of pregnancy, approximately 50,000 women worldwide are estimated to die annually because of eclampsia. The reported maternal mortality rate ranges from 1-20% while perinatal mortality rate of neonates born to eclamptic mothers ranges from 1.3-3%. Preeclampsia/eclampsia syndrome is more common in blacks than in Hispanics.
Hispanic women are more likely to be affected by this syndrome than white women. Higher incidences of the syndrome in the developing world may be related to racial differences, but effects of other environmental and social factors cannot be underestimated. Preeclampsia/eclampsia is more likely to occur in women at either extreme of reproductive life. A young nulliparous woman is more likely to experience the condition. Similarly, a multiparous woman older than 35 years is more likely to be affected.
Other risk factors include multiple pregnancies, hydatidiform mole, and extrauterine pregnancy (Shah, 2007) Preeclampsia is a condition related solely to pregnancy. It is a disorder of widespread vascular endothelial malfunction that occurs beyond the 20th week of gestation. Preeclampsia is a rapidly progressing condition which affects both the mother and the unborn baby. The condition is predominantly characterized by the presence of increasing high blood pressure, and protein in the urine. Regular visits to the midwife from 20 weeks gestation will enable problems relating to high blood pressure and protein in the urine to be picked up early. Other symptoms of preeclampsia include: swelling - particularly peripherally (hands and feet) and in the face; sudden weight gain, due to fluid retention; headaches and associated visual disturbance (including in severe cases photophobia). In cases where preeclampsia advances rapidly, few if any presenting symptoms occur.
It is a problem for many women that they may suffer high blood pressure, but remain symptom free. It is not uncommon that some women do not display any signs of preeclampsia until it reaches a critical stage. Complaints then tend to be of headache and visual disturbance.
Michael Morales

http://www.vitalethics.org

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