Pre-eclampsia is a complication of pregnancy that affects about 5–8% of all pregnant women in Nigeria and Africa. It is a leading cause of maternal and infant morbidity and mortality in Nigeria and Africa.
The International Society for the Study of Hypertension in Pregnancy defines pre-eclampsia as hypertension that occurs after 20 weeks of pregnancy with one or more of proteinuria (protein in the urine) and abnormalities in organ function.
The symptoms of pre-eclampsia can be subtle and may not appear until late in pregnancy, which is why it is often referred to as the “silent killer” of pregnant women.
Causes of pre-eclampsia
The exact cause of pre-eclampsia is unknown. However, research suggests that pre-eclampsia may result from problems with the blood vessels in the placenta may cause it.
The placenta is the organ that connects the baby to the mother's blood supply. In pre-eclampsia, the blood vessels in the placenta become narrowed, which can decrease blood flow to the baby.
Signs and symptoms of pre-eclampsia
Pregnant women with pre-eclampsia may present with:
- High blood pressure
- Protein in the urine
- Swelling in the face, hands, and feet
- Sudden weight gain
- Headaches
- Vision changes
- Abdominal pain (you can say epigastric pain)
- Nausea and vomiting
It is important to note that these symptoms may not always be present, and some women may not experience any symptoms at all. That is why pregnant women should attend all their antenatal appointments and have their blood pressure and urine checked regularly.
Pre-eclampsia may hurt the mother and baby
Untreated pre-eclampsia can lead to premature birth, low birth weight, and even stillbirth. In addition, pre-eclampsia can cause severe damage to the mother's organs, such as the liver and kidneys, and increase the risk of stroke and other complications such as eclampsia.
Who is at risk of pre-eclampsia?
Several risk factors can increase a woman's chances of developing pre-eclampsia. These include:
- First-time pregnancy
- Age (women over 40 are at higher risk)
- Multiple pregnancies (i.e., women carrying multiple babies like twins, triplets etc.)
- Obesity
- A family history of pre-eclampsia
- Chronic hypertension
- Diabetes
- Kidney disease
- Lupus
Also, a woman is more likely to get pre-eclampsia again if she has had it during a previous pregnancy.
Studies have shown that pre-eclampsia happens more often in Africa than in other parts of the world. This is likely due to a combination of genetic and environmental factors.
