I'm Dr. Steven Warsof, associate professor in the division of maternal-fetal medicine at Eastern Virginia Medical School. Hypertensive complications of pregnancy are one of the top three causes of maternal death. It can be difficult to diagnose, especially in patients with late or limited prenatal care. Hypertension in pregnancy is usually divided into chronic or underlying hypertension and a unique pregnancy form of hypertension called preeclampsia or toxemia.
Preeclampsia is a syndrome that is poorly understood.
There are many variant forms that can take on more serious implications. There is no effective treatment for preeclampsia except delivering the fetus. Preeclampsia is a significant problem especially when it forces delivery of a premature fetus. Treatment of preeclampsia usually requires recognition of the disease, admission into the hospital, and stabilization. If judged severe enough for delivery, magnesium sulfate is administered to decrease the risk of seizures.