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Understanding Preeclampsia

Amadi Jahi

Aspen University

HUM410 – Academic Success: Strengthening Scholarly Writing

Austin Newport

June 2nd, 2024

Abstract

Body

Understanding Preeclampsia

Preeclampsia is a complication of pregnancy. With preeclampsia, you might have high blood pressure, high levels of protein in urine that indicate kidney damage (proteinuria), or other signs of organ damage. Preeclampsia usually begins after 20 weeks of pregnancy in women whose blood pressure had previously been in the standard range. Left untreated, preeclampsia can lead to serious — even fatal — complications for both the mother and baby. (Mayo Clinic, n.d.) Preeclampsia is a complex pregnancy related hypertensive disorder, that may be caused genetically, immunologically, or environmentally, requiring early detection and strategic prenatal care to reduce or prevent maternal fetal morbidity and mortality.

Literature Review

Preeclampsia is a complex disease that affects both the mother and the fetus. This systematic literature review targeted the last 5 years and included PubMed, Medline, and Google Scholar for peer-reviewed articles on the nature and possible causes of preeclampsia, its prevention and management as well as socio-economic implications.

Bisson et al. (2023) conducted a review and meta-analysis where they noted that preeclampsia is a multifactorial disease. Another curious feature of the authors is the focus they place on the context within which the methods used for investigation of the disease process are positioned. It shows how genetic, environmental and immunological changes come into play to lead to preeclampsia, their work presents findings on the role of genetics and the immune system in preeclampsia. The review also looks at the complications of Preeclampsia during pregnancy and postpartum and called for a holistic approach to the management of this condition.

In their work, Burton et al. (2019) concentrated on the developmental shift in knowledge concerning Preeclampsia and called for other procedures that can be used to anticipate and mitigate the situation. Therefore, it has been suggested that the pathophysiological changes in Preeclampsia are different and thus the diagnostic and management approaches should also change. According to the authors, there are alterations in placental and vascular features of preeclampsia; the authors state new bio markers and risk models access to risk for early intervention.

In their paper, Chang et al. (2023) describes the above causes and prevalence of preeclampsia and identifies it as one of the most dangerous conditions during pregnancy. They discuss the recent progress in predicting, preventing, and managing pre-eclampsia and conclude that further research is critical to filling the existing knowledge gaps. The authors analyze the possibilities of different pharmacological and non-pharmacological approaches to reduce the risks connected with preeclampsia and emphasize the need for large-scaled clinical trials to prove their effectiveness.

Erez et al. (2022) describe how there has been a shift in the concept of pre-eclampsia from being viewed as a CNS disease to being a vascular disease. They back this change with epidemiological evidence and with new guidelines on diagnosis and prevention. The authors illustrate the endothelial dysfunction and inflammatory process as the main factors determining the formation of preeclampsia and propose to reconsider its classification for the purposes of better understanding the essence of the disease and determining the appropriate therapeutic approach. Erez et al. (2022) assess the effects of preeclampsia on cardiovascular outcomes later in life and stressed the importance of postpartum evaluation and control of risk factors to avoid future cardiovascular events among affected women. To improve the postpartum quality of life of preeclampsia patients, they recommend adding a cardiovascular check and preventive estimates during regular postpartum care.

According to Fondjo et al. (2019), education and knowledge may significantly decrease the identified risk factors for preeclampsia. According to their research, it is evidenced that the subconscious of pregnant women can work to remove its preconditions of risks, including preeclampsia. The authors provide the education level of pregnant women as the factor influencing the proper transfer of knowledge, and conclude that if feasible educational interventions were intensified, they could help decrease the rates of preeclampsia complications. Fondjo et al. (2019) describe the practice of community-centered educational campaigns and the involvement of health care professionals in raising awareness about preeclampsia. This underlines the significance of culturally appropriate educational materials and approaches in addressing dissemination and healthcare disparities.

Godana et al. (2021) describe the clinical outcomes of severe preeclampsia and found that the survival rate is achievable, however, it is accompanied by several markers of long-term morbidity in Ethiopian tertiary hospitals. They conduct a cohort study that outlines determinants of eclampsia and severe preeclampsia that is relevant due to the difficulties developing regions present. The authors recommend a better development of health care systems and personnel training to upgrade the quality of preeclampsia treatment in such centers. Godana et al. (2021) have noted that adequate and timely referral among high-risk pregnancy clients should be encouraged since the management should take place under specialty care; There should be requisite professional training among healthcare providers to enhance their practice; this will go along with improving on the quality of care among such clients. They also explain efforts of the community health workers when it comes to offering support and education to pregnant women especially those in the rural and less developed regions.

Lim (2022) explains the risk factors, signs, diagnosis, and management of preeclampsia. The article is of most benefit for pregnant women and other persons who closely interact with pregnant women; it not only offers simple instructions on diagnosing the disease at an early stage, but also on how to handle it. Lim also outlines pharmacological and lifestyle versions and remarks on the significance of the timely prenatal check-ups and cases’ monitoring to avoid the worst outcomes in pregnant women. Lim (2022) considers it crucial to identify signs of pre-eclampsia and get proper treatment and management in its early stages to prevent serious complications in both the mother and the child. The article gives information on ways that can be used to reduce preeclampsia including having a proper diet, exercising, stressing among others.

According to Mayo Clinic (2022), there are features and factors to consider that indicate preeclampsia and measures to prevent complications. Concerning the guidelines in the clinic, much focus is placed on early diagnosis and certain practices and protocols to manage the condition. Their resource is also very functional for healthcare and patients to refer to, as it focuses on the approaches that have been proven effective when trying to address preeclampsia and enhance maternal and fetal viability. According to Mayo Clinic (2022), to manage preeclampsia, the following strategies should be followed; blood pressure measurement should be done frequently, antihypertensive medications should be administered within the right time, and fetal monitoring should be done frequently. The guidelines also emphasize the education of patients and their involvement in the process, especially in the case of women who should immediately inform their doctor in case of suspicious symptoms

Discussion

Conclusion

References

Bisson, C., Dautel, S., Patel, E., Suresh, S., Dauer, P., & Rana, S. (2023). Preeclampsia pathophysiology and adverse outcomes during pregnancy and postpartum. Frontiers in Medicine, 10, 1144170.

Burton, G. J., Redman, C. W., Roberts, J. M., & Moffett, A. (2019). Pre-eclampsia: pathophysiology and clinical implications. Bmj, 366.

Chang, K. J., Seow, K. M., & Chen, K. H. (2023). Preeclampsia: Recent advances in predicting, preventing, and managing the maternal and fetal life-threatening condition. International journal of environmental research and public health, 20(4), 2994.

Erez, O., Romero, R., Jung, E., Chaemsaithong, P., Bosco, M., Suksai, M., … & Gotsch, F. (2022). Preeclampsia and eclampsia: the conceptual evolution of a syndrome. American journal of obstetrics and gynecology, 226(2), S786-S803.

Fondjo, L. A., Boamah, V. E., Fierti, A., Gyesi, D., & Owiredu, E. W. (2019). Knowledge of preeclampsia and its associated factors among pregnant women: a possible link to reduce related adverse outcomes. BMC pregnancy and childbirth, 19, 1-7.

Godana, A., Dessalegn, D., Adem, F., & Edessa, D. (2021). Treatment outcomes and determinants of eclampsia and severe preeclampsia among pregnant women admitted to selected tertiary hospitals in ethiopia: A cohort study. International Journal of Women’s Health, 781-791.

Lim, K.-H. (2022, August 17). Preeclampsia. Medscape . https://emedicine.medscape.com/article/1476919-overview?form=fpf

Mayo Clinic. (n.d.). Preeclampsia – Symptoms and causes. Mayo Clinic. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/preeclampsia/symptoms-causes/syc-20355745

Annotated Bibliography

Bisson, C., Dautel, S., Patel, E., Suresh, S., Dauer, P., & Rana, S. (2023). Preeclampsia pathophysiology and adverse outcomes during pregnancy and postpartum. Frontiers in Medicine, 10, 1144170.

Bisson et al. (2023) begin their article by acknowledging the alarming consequences of pre-eclampsia. Therefore, the authors embark on discussing the state-of-art comprehension of pre-eclampsia’s pathophysiology. The fundamental objective behind this article is to unravel the pathophysiology of pre-eclampsia and implement accurate treatment and screening modalities informed by the progression and development of the disease.

Burton, G. J., Redman, C. W., Roberts, J. M., & Moffett, A. (2019). Pre-eclampsia: pathophysiology and clinical implications. Bmj, 366.

The researchers acknowledge that the definition, prediction, epidemiology, causes, and treatment of pre-eclampsia have changed over time. Therefore, the primary aim of this article is to translate the existing findings into new approaches to predicting, preventing, and treating this disorder. The article discusses the pathophysiology of pre-eclampsia in light of the evolving comprehension of this condition.

In this article, the authors paint a clear picture of the alarming prevalence of pre-eclampsia alongside its influence on pregnancy. In an effort to achieve this goal, the authors conduct a detailed summary of the previous literature to investigate the etiology, prediction, epidemiology, socioeconomic burdens, and treatment mechanism of pre-eclampsia. From the thorough review conducted in this article, the authors conclude that a detailed pathophysiology, etiology, and impact of pre-eclampsia appears complicated and thus recommends further research be conducted to address these areas.

The authors orchestrate this article towards tracing pre-eclampsia since its origin, particularly when it was thought to be a condition of the central nervous system, to the modern time, when it is viewed as a vascular condition. The article encompasses a detailed review of the epidemiologic data that resulted in the recommendation to utilize proteinuria and hypertension as diagnostic criteria. Central to the discussion of the article is a detailed overview of the consequences, prediction, prevention, and most importantly, treatment of this condition.

The article asserts that pre-eclampsia is among the leading triggers of maternal mortality and morbidity worldwide. It recognizes that with adequate knowledge, this disorder can be managed, controlled, and prevented. In this regard, the sole objective behind this article is to assess the knowledge level regarding pre-eclampsia among pregnant women. The findings documented in this article illustrate that knowledge concerning pre-eclampsia among the examined pregnant women is critically low. The authors noted that this aspect was greatly determined by the level of education.

This article aimed at determining the treatment outcomes alongside the determinants of severe pre-eclampsia experienced by pregnant women admitted across different tertiary healthcare centers. Specifically, the article collects information from 217 women with severe eclampsia using questionnaire-informed interviews. The article found that even through women suffering from this condition may survive, they can develop complications that remain a serious concern.

Lim, K.-H. (2022, August 17). Preeclampsia. Medscape . https://emedicine.medscape.com/article/1476919-overview?form=fpf

In this article, the author incorporates knowledge that is essential for understanding pre-eclampsia. For instance, the article outlines the risk factors for this disorder, the signs and symptoms associated with it, how it is diagnosed, and how it can be managed. The article plays an informative role by providing basic knowledge that cultivates in-depth comprehension of the condition.

Mayo Clinic. (n.d.). Preeclampsia – Symptoms and causes. Mayo Clinic. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/preeclampsia/symptoms-causes/syc-20355745

The article begins by providing an adequate overview of pre-eclampsia, thus helping the reader understand what the condition entails. On the same note, the article lists several symptoms associated with this condition. At the core of the article is a discussion of the causes and risk factors associated with pre-eclampsia. Most importantly, the article proceeds to discuss when patients should see physicians. It concludes by showing how pre-eclampsia can be prevented using both medications and healthy lifestyle choices.

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