Pre Eclampsia and Pregnancy


Pre eclampsia, otherwise known as high blood pressure during pregnancy,

Preeclampsia: a potentially dangerous rise and high blood pressure among pregnant females that generally occurs later in the pregnancy (after 20 weeks, who typically have no history of high blood pressure). Symptoms include headaches and seizures, protein in the urine and a lower extremity edema. Its cause is unknown, it is the leading causes of premature births, and left untreated can lead to learning disabilities, epilepsy, cerebral palsy and hearing and vision problems. It may also cause strokes and congestive heart failure. There is no cure and treatment includes strict adherence to prenatal care, bed rest and, if necessary, premature delivery of the baby.

 

Diabetes, maternal (or gestational diabetes mellitus): a typically non-symptomatic condition that occurs mid pregnancy or later, and is the result of the pancreas’ inability to produce enough insulin for both baby and mother. It affects up to 10% of pregnancies, and if left untreated can result in stillbirth and very large babies. Treatment includes very good prenatal care, weight loss, exercise, a diabetic diet and insulin injections during pregnancy. Maternal diabetes typically goes away after birth.

 

Diabetes Type I (or juvenile diabetes): this type of diabetes occurs mostly in children and is the result of the pancreas’ inability to produce enough insulin. Failure to treat the disease can have significant and life-threatening results that include heart disease, blindness, kidney disease, diseases of the nervous system and early mortality. Treatment of the disease involves close monitoring by an Edocrinologist, diet, exercise and insulin therapy.