Preeclampsia: Pathophysiology and management

J Gynecol Obstet Hum Reprod. 2021 Feb;50(2):101975. doi: 10.1016/j.jogoh.2020.101975. Epub 2020 Nov 7.

Abstract

Preeclampsia is a pregnancy-related multisystem disorder, frequently encountered pregnancy-related medical complications next to gestational diabetes mellitus. It is the onset of hypertension during pregnancy. The preeclampsia can be of two types, placental or maternal preeclampsia. Among these two types former, i.e., placental preeclampsia is more severe than the latter. According to the recent survey by National Health Portal of India, the incidence of preeclampsia is about 8-10 % among pregnant women. Though our understanding of preeclampsia has improved in recent years, the development and interpretation of the clinical tests remain difficult for preeclampsia. Hence, we have made an attempt to understand the pathophysiology, associated conditions/consequences, treatment and management/prevention of the condition in this review.

Keywords: Angiogenic-antiangiogenic factors; Hypertension; Placenta; Preeclampsia; Pregnancy complication.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Autoantibodies / blood
  • Cytokines / metabolism
  • Delivery, Obstetric
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Hypoxia / physiopathology
  • Neovascularization, Pathologic / physiopathology
  • Nitric Oxide / biosynthesis
  • Oxidative Stress / physiology
  • Placenta / physiopathology
  • Placental Insufficiency / physiopathology
  • Pre-Eclampsia / physiopathology*
  • Pre-Eclampsia / prevention & control*
  • Pregnancy
  • Receptor, Angiotensin, Type 1 / immunology

Substances

  • Autoantibodies
  • Cytokines
  • Receptor, Angiotensin, Type 1
  • Nitric Oxide