Pre-eclampsia history and symptoms

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Sara Zand, M.D.[2] Ogheneochuko Ajari, MB.BS, MS [3]

The previous classification of preeclampsia into mild and severe disease is not used now because Preeclampsia may deteriorate rapidly without any specific signs and symptoms. Preeclampsia may present the first time intrapartum or early postpartum. Every hypertensive pregnant woman should be investigated for the symptoms related to organ damage, even in the absence of proteinuria. Symptoms of preeclampsia may include the following: epigastric pain or right upper quadrant pain, frontal or occipital headache, visual scotoma, shortness of breath, limbs swelling, altered mental status, and photophobia.

• The previouse classification of preeclampsia into mild and severe disease is not used now because Preeclampsia may deteriorate rapidly without any specific signs and symptoms. ^[1]
• Preeclampsia may present the first time intrapartum or early postpartum.
• Every hypertensive pregnant woman should be investigated for the symptoms related to organ damage, even in the absence of proteinuria.
• Symptoms of preeclampsia may include the following:

• Epigasteric pain or right upper quadrant pain
• Frontal or oxipital headache
• Visual scotoma
• Shortness of breath
• limbs swelling
• Altered mental status
• Photophobia