Previously referred to as toxaemia, it is an abrupt pregnancy-induced hypertension, usually accompanied by edema of the face, feet and hands and proteineuria (protein in the urine). Occurring in about 3-5% of pregnancies, and thus one of the most prevalent complications of pregnancy, it is more common in the first pregnancy and typically becomes manifest in the third trimester (and almost always after 20 weeks of pregnancy). The causes are not properly understood, but it is thought to be due to inflammatory agents secreted by the placenta that act on the vascular endothelium, as well as being hereditary. More common in multiple pregnancies and with women suffering from diabetes, it is associated with placental dysfunction leading to intrauterine growth restriction, and can become a life-threatening condition (eclampsia) for both the mother and fetus. The only treatment is an induced delivery or Caesarian section, sometimes as early as 28 weeks.
See Corticotrophin-releasing hormone (CRH), Endothelium, Epidemiology, Fetal programming, Glucose tolerance, Hyperemesis gravidarum, Hypoxic-ischemic encephalitis, Intrauterine growth restriction or retardation (IUGR), Oligohydramnios